Cat may have been tossed from vehicle on Ontario highway
By Maryanne Firth, St. Catharines Standard
First posted: Wednesday, November 23, 2016 08:52 AM EST | Updated: Wednesday, November 23, 2016 09:05 AM EST
ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - Witnesses are sought after a cat appears to have been thrown from a moving vehicle on Highway 406.
The incident, which occurred in the southbound lanes of the highway between Beaverdams Road and Highway. 20 in the town of Thorold, was witnessed by another driver just before 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Steven Ellis was on his way to a work call when, from a distance of about a football field away, he saw “something dark” come out of the driver’s side window of a vehicle up ahead.
He estimates about three to six cars separated him from the vehicle in question, which continued southbound after the incident occurred.
While he wasn’t sure what it was that had exited the vehicle onto the highway median, he became immediately suspicious of what had occurred.
Ellis pulled over and “backtracked” on the highway until he found what he was looking for — a young cat now in need of medical attention.
“I found the cat on the side of the road,” Ellis said. “It was in pretty rough shape. It was bleeding from its mouth.”
He called Lincoln County Humane Society, which transferred the cat to a local veterinary clinic for treatment.
While he didn’t get an up-close look at the vehicle involved, Ellis said it appeared to be a grey van or “crossover-type.”
The licence plate number is not known.
The humane society and the Ontario Provincial Police, who were also called to the scene, are appealing to additional witnesses and to anyone who might have information about the cat and its owner, who has not been identified.
LCHS executive director Kevin Strooband acknowledged it’s going to be “challenging” to find the vehicle involved, but is hopeful someone will recognize the cat and come forward with information.
“It’s a pretty daunting task, but we’re hopeful the public will help.”
The cat had no collar and is not microchipped.
Strooband credited Ellis for stopping to provide assistance to the vulnerable animal.
The impact caused the young female cat to have skin ripped from her jaw and paw. One of her claws was also ripped out.
X-rays are required to rule out any internal injuries.
Ellie, named in honour of her rescuer, is scheduled to undergo surgery for her multiple injuries by end of day Wednesday at Huntington Animal Hospital.
She is expected to recover.
Because of the damage to her jaw, staff have been unable to check her teeth in an effort to determine her age, Strooband said. However, it’s believed she’s relatively young.
“This is an SPCA investigation, but also a criminal investigation,” Strooband said.
He felt some people may question whether the cat jumped from the vehicle, but if that was the case, “why didn’t the driver stop?”
Strooband said the incident “defies logic.”
“There’s always a better way.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the shelter at 905-682-0767.
The cost of Ellie’s medical care has yet to be determined, but donations to assist with the expenses incurred by the shelter are appreciated, Strooband said.
mfirth@postmedia.com
Follow @mfirthStandard
A cat, since named Ellie, was thrown from a moving car on the 406 between Beaverdams Road and Highway 20 on Tuesday, November 22, 2016. A driver following the vehicle, who described it as a grey van or crossover, stopped and rescued the cat which is now in the care of Huntington Animal Hospital. Julie Jocsak/ St. Catharines Standard/ Postmedia Network
Cat may have been tossed from vehicle on Ontario highway | Ontario | News | Toro
By Maryanne Firth, St. Catharines Standard
First posted: Wednesday, November 23, 2016 08:52 AM EST | Updated: Wednesday, November 23, 2016 09:05 AM EST
ST. CATHARINES, Ont. - Witnesses are sought after a cat appears to have been thrown from a moving vehicle on Highway 406.
The incident, which occurred in the southbound lanes of the highway between Beaverdams Road and Highway. 20 in the town of Thorold, was witnessed by another driver just before 9 a.m. Tuesday.
Steven Ellis was on his way to a work call when, from a distance of about a football field away, he saw “something dark” come out of the driver’s side window of a vehicle up ahead.
He estimates about three to six cars separated him from the vehicle in question, which continued southbound after the incident occurred.
While he wasn’t sure what it was that had exited the vehicle onto the highway median, he became immediately suspicious of what had occurred.
Ellis pulled over and “backtracked” on the highway until he found what he was looking for — a young cat now in need of medical attention.
“I found the cat on the side of the road,” Ellis said. “It was in pretty rough shape. It was bleeding from its mouth.”
He called Lincoln County Humane Society, which transferred the cat to a local veterinary clinic for treatment.
While he didn’t get an up-close look at the vehicle involved, Ellis said it appeared to be a grey van or “crossover-type.”
The licence plate number is not known.
The humane society and the Ontario Provincial Police, who were also called to the scene, are appealing to additional witnesses and to anyone who might have information about the cat and its owner, who has not been identified.
LCHS executive director Kevin Strooband acknowledged it’s going to be “challenging” to find the vehicle involved, but is hopeful someone will recognize the cat and come forward with information.
“It’s a pretty daunting task, but we’re hopeful the public will help.”
The cat had no collar and is not microchipped.
Strooband credited Ellis for stopping to provide assistance to the vulnerable animal.
The impact caused the young female cat to have skin ripped from her jaw and paw. One of her claws was also ripped out.
X-rays are required to rule out any internal injuries.
Ellie, named in honour of her rescuer, is scheduled to undergo surgery for her multiple injuries by end of day Wednesday at Huntington Animal Hospital.
She is expected to recover.
Because of the damage to her jaw, staff have been unable to check her teeth in an effort to determine her age, Strooband said. However, it’s believed she’s relatively young.
“This is an SPCA investigation, but also a criminal investigation,” Strooband said.
He felt some people may question whether the cat jumped from the vehicle, but if that was the case, “why didn’t the driver stop?”
Strooband said the incident “defies logic.”
“There’s always a better way.”
Anyone with information is asked to call the shelter at 905-682-0767.
The cost of Ellie’s medical care has yet to be determined, but donations to assist with the expenses incurred by the shelter are appreciated, Strooband said.
mfirth@postmedia.com
Follow @mfirthStandard
A cat, since named Ellie, was thrown from a moving car on the 406 between Beaverdams Road and Highway 20 on Tuesday, November 22, 2016. A driver following the vehicle, who described it as a grey van or crossover, stopped and rescued the cat which is now in the care of Huntington Animal Hospital. Julie Jocsak/ St. Catharines Standard/ Postmedia Network
Cat may have been tossed from vehicle on Ontario highway | Ontario | News | Toro