After 4th attack, Chesco SPCA warns: Keep cats inside

At first, the plaintive meowing was welcomed by a Malvern family whose pet tabby had been missing for several days. However, it soon became clear that something had gone terribly wrong.

The next day, the Qasim family learned that a BB pellet had penetrated Furball's spine, causing paralysis - the fourth incident of cat abuse in Chester County in less than three months.

Rich Britton, a spokesman for the Chester County SPCA, said Friday that the agency was renewing its plea for keeping cats inside, a practice that extends life spans. He also urged anyone with information about any of the recent abuse cases to contact authorities. Investigators do not know if the incidents are connected, he said.

In September, four kittens and two cats, several of which had been mutilated, were found on the property of an East Fallowfield couple who had been caring for the animals.

A few weeks later, an East Pikeland Township couple called police after they found two of their cats dead in a week. Britton said the residents assumed the first cat had been hit with a bow and arrow; however, no arrow was recovered. The second cat sustained facial trauma and internal injuries, and a necropsy proved inconclusive on the cause of death.

In late October, a male cat was found dead at a home in North Coventry Township, where a resident had been caring for two cats and three kittens, Britton said. The cat appeared to be a victim of an arrow attack, Britton said, adding thar cat fur was found on an arrow nearby. Officials remain concerned about the missing mother cat and her three babies, he said.

The Qasims said they called authorities and spoke to reporters in the hope of sparing others from their pain.

Sabah Qasim said she and her husband, Mohammad, went to the Chester County SPCA looking for a kitten 10 years ago for their two sons, Asad and Mujtaba, now 23 and 19.

Asad Qasim said his brother named the kitten, "a ball of orange fur" who endeared himself to the family right away.

When Furball failed to return home on Nov. 11, the family became concerned, Sabah Qasim said. Within two days, Asad Qasim had circulated a color flier in the neighborhood and conducted searches on his bike.

Sabah Qasim said she heard Furball on Nov. 15, finally locating him under the backyard deck, but it took time to coax him out because "he didn't want to be touched, and he couldn't walk. We thought maybe he had broken his leg."

The following day, veterinarian Greg Hahn was shocked to find a BB pellet lodged in Furball's spine.

"I was numb," Sabah Qasim said. She said the cat's "very poor prognosis" made euthanasia the only option.

"I don't even know how he managed to drag himself home in that condition," she said. "I hope they find whoever did this so this person can get the help they need."

Crimes against animals carry a minimum penalty of a $1,000 fine and a maximum of two years in prison, Britton said. Anyone with information is asked to call 610-692-6113, Ext. 213. Callers may remain anonymous.