The recent bludgeoning death of a cat by a Harrisonburg police officer under the guise of a "humane solution" to the companion animal's traumatic injury demands your immediate and uncompromising action.

Reported by WHSV TV (read the report here), Harrisonburg resident Wayne Meadows discovered an injured cat near his home the evening of Friday, November 18th. Following the conversation with the unidentified responding officer, Meadows accepted the officer’s offer to personally euthanize the animal and eliminate further suffering. Shortly after entering his home, Mr. Meadows heard the rap of a nightstick 15-20 times.

This deplorable incident is totally unacceptable in a supposedly civilized society. The officer’s need to strike a critically injured animal 15-20 times shows a vicious brutality that is unacceptable behavior for a peace officer.

We thank Citizens For Animal Welfare (CFAW) and WHSV TV for bringing this tragic story to the forefront, however, the police officer continues to be on duty during the investigation, and as soon as the current fire has been quenched, the status quo will rule yet again as has been proven in the past. It is up to all of us to demand that change takes place immediately with transparency and reported results. If we fail to mount a vigorous campaign NOW, we are just as guilty as an overzealous police officer wielding a nightstick on a helpless cat.

Injured cats and dogs should not be euthanized in the field or taken to the SPCA after business hours and left unattended. Injured cats and dogs should be taken to a regional veterinary emergency clinic to be evaluated by veterinary medical staff and humanely euthanized if necessary.

Please contact members of the Harrisonburg City Council, Police Chief Wayne Harper, and Harrisonburg City Manager and let them know that animal cruelty should not be tolerated and the Harrisonburg police policies that deal with injured stray animals need to be changed. For the City of Harrisonburg website click here. For Mayor Richard Baugh click here.

To view a copy of the letter VFHS sent to the Mayor and Harrisonburg officials click here.

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