Man says it was an accident, offers compensation

By ROBIN SHANNON

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – St. John sheriff’s investigators have identified the individual responsible for shooting a cat with a bow and arrow at a LaPlace trailer park back in November.

Sheriff’s Office Spokesman Maj. Mike Tregre said the man, whose name was not released, turned himself into police after his attempts to locate the owner of the cat were unsuccessful.

Tregre said the shooter provided a voluntary statement to police that said he accidentally hit the cat while practicing with his bow and arrow behind his trailer at the Colonial Trailer Park in LaPlace.

According to a Sheriff’s Office report on the incident, the man contacted the manager of the trailer park about the incident after attempts to locate the cat’s owner were unsuccessful.

Dan Scanlon, the owner of the cat, which he affectionately named Mr. Dummy, said he and the shooter finally met together at the Sheriff’s Office this past week to discuss the incident. Scanlon said he did not wish to pursue criminal charges against the shooter, since the suspect offered to purchase him another cat, and agreed to make a $200 contribution to the St. John Animal Shelter.

Scanlon said he would like to see others in the community make donations to the animal shelter in Mr. Dummy’s honor.

Tregre said the Sheriff’s Office would consult with the District Attorney’s Office to determine if criminal charges will be pursued.