At around 3 a.m. Wednesday, someone walking near Ybor City heard the distress cries of a cat.
The unidentified individual walked along Maple Avenue toward McKay Bay and found a cat carrier in the water covered with graffiti and an adult female cat inside.
The passer-by took the cat to Brandon Veterinary Specialists, where the cat has been treated, fed and named "Lovey" for its affectionate disposition, said Marti Ryan, a spokeswoman for Hillsborough County Animal Services.
"We are hopeful," Ryan said. "I've heard the cat has had some ups and downs."
She said the cat is in guarded condition.
The black and white cat had been shot multiple times with a BB gun and BB pellets were found in the cat's chest and abdomen area, Ryan said.
The white and blue cat carrier was labeled "Kitty Penitentiary" in large letters with writing saying it was established in 2010. The carrier identifies the "jailer" as Missy, but the name of the "warden" is erased. Also, there were 20 marked lines on the carrier, possibly a reference to the number of times the cat has been placed in it as punishment.
"This was obviously intentional pain and suffering," said Ryan, who doesn't know how long the cat was in the water. "Someone did this for reasons unknown to us."
Animal services is asking for the public's help in finding the suspect or suspects who mistreated, injured and placed the cat in McKay Bay.
The suspect or suspects could be charged with felony animal cruelty, Ryan said.
Anyone with information is asked to contact animal services at (813) 744-5660 or e-mail at info@hillsboroughcounty.org.
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