Thursday, June 26, 2008
Alley Cat Allies Demands Investigation of Richmond TV Station
For Immediate Release:
June 25, 2008
Contact:
ELIZABETH PAROWSKI, mailto:epoarowski@alleycat.org or 240-482-1984
FRANCIE ISRAELI, fisraeli@johnadams.com or 202-737-8400
ALLEY CAT ALLIES DEMANDS INVESTIGATION OF RICHMOND TV STATION
Cites reports that local Fox station hired company to bulldoze outdoor cats
BETHESDA – Alley Cat Allies, the nation’s advocate for stray and feral cats, today called for an investigation after eyewitnesses reported a colony of cats living in and around the property of a Richmond television station had been bulldozed.
“We are told that Richmond WRLH Channel 35, and its owner, Sinclair Media Group, contracted with a local pest control company to have the cats trapped and killed, and that another company was hired to bulldoze the area where the cats lived, all over the vehement objections of local animal protection organizations,” said Becky Robinson, president of Alley Cat Allies. “We are also told that some of the cats may have been killed at the site.”
“If this is true, then we call for an investigation of WRLH and Sinclair Broadcast Group. Plowing through cats with bulldozers is clear-cut animal cruelty, and should not be tolerated in civil society,” Robinson said.
She noted that the cats had been living at the site for a long time, and most had been spayed or neutered and vaccinated. The colony was being cared for by local volunteers, and properties neighboring the Fox station reportedly had no concerns about the cats. Robinson also noted that that the station and its owner were offered nonlethal alternatives by several organizations, including the Richmond SPCA, but were not persuaded.
“Humane cat repellants are readily available, and the station could have used any number of these to keep cats away from areas where they are not wanted,” said Robinson. “Today’s tragic situation could easily have been avoided.”
“It is still unclear whether what happened today is illegal, but we will be working with the local authorities and animal organizations to ensure there is a thorough investigation,” Robinson said. “In the meantime, the cats have been frightened and displaced and their home has been destroyed.”
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About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies is dedicated to ending the killing of cats and leading the movement for their humane care. Their web site is http://www.alleycat.org/.
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related news article : Cats Killed Outside Local TV Station
WRIC, VA - June 25, 2008
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