"Miracle" cat won't be returned to owners

[ksun]

I never posted in the original thread, but I'm so glad he won't be going back to the people who basically assumed, without making sure, that he was dead and let him suffer AND panic for so long.  The owners are shady as shit.


www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/27986395/2015/01/30/humane-society-prepared-to-fight-for-zombie-cat


TAMPA (FOX 13) -

He cheated death, but now, it's not clear where 'Bart' the cat may spend his remaining eight lives. A custody battle could be brewing over the cat who returned from the (nearly) dead.



At the beginning of the week, it was only a matter of recovery time before "Bart the Miracle Zombie cat" was heading home with his owner.



Now, the Humane Society of Tampa Bay has reversed course and said they will not give Bart back to its owner. Instead, they want to put him up for adoption.



The Humane Society of Tampa Bay has changed its tune since last weekend when Bart was brought in with serious and painful injuries to his head.



According to his owner, Ellis Hutson, the cat was run over by a car, found "dead" in the street, buried about a foot under. Then five days later, he was up and wandering around the neighborhood.



In three days, perception changed. Hutson went from a proud cat owner to one suspected of animal cruelty.



Midweek, a YouTube video surfaced that shows a group of people caring for a cat. The video was posted by Hutson's neighbor, Dusty Albritton, who also started a Go Fund Me account for the cat's medical bills.



Several of the comments made in the video have sparked outrage and raised questions about if those who buried Bart knew he was still alive.



"There is a woman that clearly says... that cat isn't dead. That cat is still alive, and the other person said, 'well, let's just bury it.'," Humane Society Director Sherry Silk said about the video.



The comments made in the video, the Go Fund Me account, and the atmosphere at Hutson's home all played into the decision to keep the cat from going back with Hutson, Silk said.



"It's very neglectful. I don't know if it was purposeful, but we are just not going to return the cat to him," Silk said.



But on Tuesday, Silk said she said she believed Hutson's story, and the Humane Society contacted local media outlets. It quickly went viral from there, drawing international attention.



"He is a credible owner," Silk said at the time. "I saw the picture of the cat in a pool of blood in the middle of the street. He looked dead, and he wasn't moving."



Now, Hutson says he wants his cat back. And both parties say they are more than willing to go to court over the custody of Bart.



"If it wasn't for the GoFundMe account, I think I'd be getting my cat back, no questions asked," Hutson said. "I just want my cat back…I don't want nary a penny from nobody."



He thinks the GoFundMe account created more problems than it was worth, and he welcomes the supporters of Bart who donated to request refunds.



The account, started by Hutson's neighbor, has generated more than $7,000 for "Bart's medical cost," even though the Humane Society has paid for all of the bills exclusively.



The Humane Society said they have no affiliation with the GoFundMe account, and none of those funds are being used in Bart's care.



Albritton said she has now been called a fraud because of it, "and that really hurts because my intention for Mr. Hutson, for Bart, for Markie, has always been good."



On her Facebook page Wednesday, Albritton apologized for the confusion and explained that she had set up the GoFundMe page so that donations could be made exclusively to Bart and his family, rather than to the Humane Society's general fund.



Albritton say she plans to give all the money to Hutson, and he said he would build some sort of glass encased room where Bart would live and be able to have visits from his fans.



But Humane Society now says it is looking for another home for Bart.



He has a long way to go in his recovery since he still requires a feeding tube.

[chedifuen]

Those owners are shady as fuck

[beeks]

Ugh. I'm disappointed by this...so shady.

[aurora]

Yikes. I hope the cat goes to someone who doesn't bury live animals alive.

This makes me realize, though, that I have no idea what the law is regarding dead pets. I mean, if my pup got hit by a car I'd certainly be bringing her to the vet immediately (especially after a story like this!), but at what point are you allowed to make your own determination that your beloved pet has died without confirmation from a professional? There's a wide space between a goldfish floating belly up in the bowl and a cat that digs itself out from burial.

Unless of course this is really about Pet Sematary.

[msmerymac]

Jan 31, 2015 20:25:22 GMT -5 ksun said:

Albritton say she plans to give all the money to Hutson, and he said he would build some sort of glass encased room where Bart would live and be able to have visits from his fans.

Where's the Shade gif?

[lilibet]

Jan 31, 2015 20:25:22 GMT -5 ksun said:

"He is a credible owner," Silk said at the time. "I saw the picture of the cat in a pool of blood in the middle of the street. He looked dead, and he wasn't moving."

Well, since this isn't Hogwarts I'm not all that surprised the cat wasn't moving in the picture.

The owner sounds awful and I think this Silk person spoke before knowing all the facts probably. Poor kitty. I hope he ends up getting adopted into an awesome home, because I don't think going back with this owner is a good plan.

[awick14]

I hope the cat find a loving family to live with.

[mysterons]

[Deleted]

Good. You don't accidentally bury a living animal. My first thought when I read the story was, "They couldn't wait to get that poor guy in the ground."

I'll take him. I think if I tell him it's a zombie cat DH will finally give in to my second cat requests.

[krisandgrace]

Someone video taped finding a " dead" cat ?? What the hell is wrong with people?