We have had another cat abuse case in the area (Fairlawn/Radford, VA). This family pet, Molly, who is an inside-mostly kitty was shot and killed on May 8th. There is a $5000 reward (which there IS a suspect in the area) for arrest and conviction of the person(s) who did this and if anyone wants to pledge or donate to the reward fund, you can contact Lila Wills or Jennifer Smart. The Humane Society of the US has pledged an additional $2500 to the existing $2500 reward fund bringing the total to $5000. VA PAWS will continue to help and educate the community with cases like these. If you wish, print out the poster (in MS Word 2000 format) and post in appropriate places. You can download the updated poster by clicking here.

The Pulaski County Sheriff's office is handling the case and Captain Tony Webb is assigned to the case at 540 980-7814.

Molly's story...

Tuesday, May 8, 2001, started out like any other day, but at 4pm
my life as I knew it would never be the same. Something horrific and devastating happened to our family--something I never in a million years would have thought was possible. Our beloved feline family member, Molly, was shot and killed in front of the steps to our home in the Fairlawn area of Pulaski County. My husband called from work, telling me that my father had found her dead when he came by the house. My office is 10 minutes away and I rushed home immediately. I found Molly where my dad had placed her, on our porch, out of the rain. I saw a small bit of blood on her and after examining the area, I discovered a hole. It was too symmetrical to be a puncture wound from a dog bite, and I
immediately suspected some type of bullet or pellet. I called my
veterinarian and was told to bring her over for an examination. After the exam and x-rays, it was confirmed that Molly had most likely been killed by a .22 caliber weapon. It had passed straight through her, piercing her heart. I was totally devastated. Who would do such a thing??? I was numb with shock and disbelief. We have lived in that house for over 10 years and have never had any trouble or problems, and no crime of any sort had ever occurred on our block that we knew of. Our neighborhood is full of elderly folks and families with kids and pets, and for the most part is a quiet neighborhood. I just couldn't believe what had happened.

I went back home with Molly's body and called the Pulaski County sheriff's office. A deputy came and took the report, and
went around and interviewed what neighbors were home. No one had seen or heard anything that afternoon. I had let Molly out at 12:30pm and she was found a little over three hours later, so the time that she was killed could be narrowed down. But that afternoon there had been only one person at home nearby and she had not heard the shot nor had seen anything unusual in the area. Over the next few days the case was handed over to an investigator with the sheriff's department, and it turns out that we do have a probable suspect. It was discovered that there was someone else at home in the neighborhood that afternoon, at least for a short while. The suspect of course denies any involvement
in or knowledge of the murder of Molly. The investigator handling the case has interrogated the suspect, and is following up on a couple of leads, however, we have nothing concrete at this point which would allow the police to issue a warrant. While we are hopeful for further developments and are trying to wait patiently, we have distributed fliers and put up posters in the neighborhood and in local stores advertising a $5000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible
for killing Molly. I have also told our story to a local radio station and a couple of local newspapers. I also placed classified ads about the reward in the Southwest Times and the Roanoke Times NRV Current. Channel 10 news has been contacted about the story, but we have not heard back from them yet. We want the word to get out about what happened to Molly and about the reward, as well as bring attention to the problem of animal cruelty in this society.

It has been a little over 2 weeks since Molly was murdered and my family and I are still in a state of shock and disbelief. I miss Molly more and more with each passing day, and my feelings of grief deepen each day as well. She was my companion for nearly 9 years, and not a day went by that we didn't have at least a few moments of alone time together, usually at bedtime, when we would share that knowing look between us and I would whisper in her ear and tell her I loved her. Molly was more "human" than
any animal I've ever known and showed a wide range of emotions, but that one look from those eyes during those moments spoke volumes. She was an intelligent, beautiful and loving being who I will miss more than I could ever put into words. I am at least thankful that our life paths crossed and that our family was able to spend what time she had left on this earth with her. She was one of the true blessings in our lives.

I will close my story now with many, many thanks going out to Lila Borge Wills for all of the help she has provided that has enabled us to raise the amount of the reward fund, and for her help in getting Molly's story out to everyone we can. Her empathy and support have given me the hope and strength I've needed to help my family and myself deal with this horrific, heart-breaking tragedy. I'm thankful to the Pulaski County Humane Society for giving me her name to contact. And I want to thank VA PAWS for their support and for all of the hard work that they do.

Finally, thank you all for allowing me to share my story. Please keep our family--and Molly--in your prayers. Please pray that we are able to catch and prosecute her murderer.

Jennifer Smart