MONTCLAIR, N.J.—The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for throwing a kitten out of the window of a moving vehicle.
The case: On June 24, 2022, between noon and 12:15 p.m., a motorist witnessed a gray kitten being thrown out of the passenger window of a moving vehicle near the intersection of Glenridge Avenue and Cloverhill Place in Montclair, traveling toward Grove Street. Witnesses at the scene described the vehicle as a brown or bronze Nissan Rogue with New Jersey license plates.
The motorist who witnessed the incident pulled over to protect the kitten from oncoming traffic and immediately called 911. Montclair Township Animal Control was dispatched and Officer Jarrett Kennedy arrived at the scene. Officer Kennedy transported the kitten to the local veterinary hospital where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
“No animal deserves to be tossed out the window and discarded like trash,” says Elissa Frank, New Jersey state director for the Humane Society of the United States. “We are hopeful that offering this reward will lead to justice for this sweet kitten whose life was cut too short.”
Animal cruelty: The serious attention and engagement of law enforcement, prosecutors and residents in cases involving allegations of animal cruelty is an essential component of protecting the whole community. The connection between animal cruelty and violence toward people is well documented. Studies show a correlation between animal cruelty and many other crimes, from narcotics and firearms violations to battery and sexual assault.
The investigators: Montclair Township Animal Control and the Montclair Township Police Department are investigating this case. Anyone with relevant information is asked to call Detective Shawn DePoe at 973-509-4732 or Animal Control Supervisor Michele Shiber at 973-487-0524.
Resources: The Humane Society of the United States raises public awareness and educates communities about the connection between animal cruelty and human violence while providing a variety of resources and support to law enforcement agencies, social work professionals, educators, legislators and families. We offer rewards in animal cruelty cases across the country and works to strengthen laws against animal cruelty.