CLEVELAND -- Video of a cat being choked in a Cleveland neighborhood has sparked outrage and calls to the APL from around the country. Both the APL and the Cleveland Police Department are investigating. But the good news is that they may have found the little black cat.
The video starts off with a young man holding the cat by the neck because he says it ate the dog food. After choking it for 14 seconds, he tosses the cat across the street.
The images horrified viewers near and far.
"We received numerous calls from the community and also from around the country. We had dozens of calls on our Human Investigation Hotline," said Cleveland APL CEO Sharon Harvey.
Harvey says the video was taken in a neighborhood on the east side of Cleveland. Residents have one word for someone who would harm this little cat.
"I'd say a bully, when you pick on someone or something that's defenseless," said Tori Williams.
"It would be outrageous for someone to do that to a child so why is it okay to do that to a defenseless animal that can't even fight back," said Simone Tyler.
Humane officers searched the neighborhood and found a tiny cat they named Clarissa. They're confident, but not completely sure she's the cat in the video.
Beside a scuffed up nose, she's doing well thanks to the people who cared enough to report the abuse.
"Without people reaching out we don't always know these things are happening. It is critical that members of the community who care about animals and who care about violence call us to report these things so we can look into them," said Harvey.
The APL has a suspect, but he is not in custody as of Monday night.
As for Clarissa, she will remain at the APL until this case is closed. After she is medically cleared, she will be put up for adoption.
Follow WKYC's Kristin Anderson on Twitter: @KristinWKYC
