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Reward Offered To Catch Person Who Shot Cat With Crossbow

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) -- Anne Arundel County police say the person behind a callous case of animal abuse is still on the run after a Davidsonville cat nearly died after being pierced with an arrow.

Christie Ileto explains how a reward is now being offered to catch this criminal.

Staff at Rude Ranch Animal Rescue say Xena is named appropriately. She's battling through more than a week's worth of antibiotics after police say the two-year-old cat was pierced with a two-foot-long arrow from a crossbow.

"It could have been the worst. She was a very lucky kitty. If the arrow had gone in a little bit one side or the other, it would have gone through her windpipe or one of her major arteries," said Kathy Evans.

Evans says that means a millimeter in either direction could have killed the two-year-old feline.

Police say the callous crime happened in the 3000 block of Riva Road in Davidsonville earlier this month. With few leads, a reward was offered Tuesday of up to $5,000 to catch the person responsible.

"This case really highlights a disturbing case of animal abuse and really the question for us is, if someone can injure an animal, what else are they capable of doing?" said Justin Mulcahy, Anne Arundel County police.

While police track down the person responsible, Rude Ranch Animal Rescue is prepping Xena for adoption. So far, almost 40 people have applied to take her home.

"She's a very popular kitty right now," Evans said. "We're going to basically see the family or the person who basically seems to be the best match for her and the best match for their lifestyle."

With Xena off medication and almost 100% recovered, animal rescue staff say she's living up to the myth that cats really do have nine lives.

Animal rescue says they will start narrowing down a home for Xena in the next few weeks.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call Anne Arundel County Animal Control at 410-222-8900.

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