Man’s inhumanity to animals a constant presence

SATURDAY MORNING EDITORIAL — Man’s inhumanity to animals constantly reminds us that, for all the good that is done in our world, evil is ever lurking in the shadows of twisted minds.

The B.C. SPCA is looking for the public’s help in solving a case of unbelievable cruelty to a cat that was found hanging on a pole at Nootka elementary school in Vancouver.

The grey, seven-year-old male Russian Blue cat was found hanging by its collar in front of back doors to the school. “A smoked cigarette butt had been shoved into the cat’s mouth and he had been placed to look as if he was standing on his hind legs,” the SPCA said Friday.

“His left ear and mouth were full of blood and his right eye was also haemorrhaged with blood.

“The cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head but it is not known how that trauma occurred.”

The cat’s name was Smokey. His name was on his tag.

It’s possible, the SPCA acknowledges, that someone found the cat’s body and then committed the indignities, but that only very slightly diminishes the depth of the cruelty.

As the SPCA says, “It is distressing to think that anyone would show such little respect for the deceased animal.”

Aside from outrage, helplessness is the other emotion that comes upon us when we learn of such things. Finding the culprit and handing out punishment is scant consolation in such cases.