Valentine's Rescue

In March of 2005, Humane Society of Missouri rescue personnel received a call from a distraught cat owner in St. Francois County, who reported that his cat was shot by an angry neighbor using a bow and arrow.  The neighbor was angry because the caller’s outside cat had attacked his outside cat.

The cat, a large, un-neutered blue tabby, received a direct hit of the target arrow, which pierced both front legs.  The cat eluded rescue by his owner, local animal control and police officers for five days.  Humane Society of Missouri Statewide Investigators Kyle Held and Brett Huff responded to the call, where they were met by St. Francois County animal control and police officers.  The cat, arrow still embedded, had been spotted but again escaped rescue, this time by limping underground into a drainage pipe.

Investigators Held and Huff had their work cut out for them.  “The only way into the pipe was down through a storm drain, but we couldn’t fit.  Luckily a police officer met us there.  He made a call to the police chief who called the city manager, who sent a backhoe.” 

Two sections of pavement were broken apart, allowing the two rescuers to fit into the drainage pipe.  “It was a very tight fit, says Held.  “The pipe was about 24 inches wide – just barely big enough to crawl through.”  Huff climbed down into the pipe at one end; Held entered the pipe at the other end. 

Inside the underground pipe the cat was discovered motionless but alive.  The arrow had become dislodged from one leg but was still embedded in the other.  "His wounds were badly infected,” says Held.  "I could smell the infection downwind.”  Despite his extreme injuries, the cat allowed Huff to usher him out as the investigator crawled behind him through the pipe.  “It was such a tight fit under there, the arrow made a clack-clack sound as it hit against the corrugated sides of the metal pipe,” says Huff. 

The cat’s owner surrendered him to the Humane Society of Missouri, where he was transported for treatment.  Before departing, the investigators cut the arrow so the cat could fit inside a carrier.  

Upon arrival to the Humane Society of Missouri, Dr. Mark Wright sedated the cat, removed the arrow portion still lodged in one leg and prescribed treatments for his infections. 

"His legs were very swollen so he received antibiotics and regular wound irrigations for three weeks,” reports Veterinary Technician Rebecca Relling.  “He let us handle him and didn’t mind a bit.  He’s such a nice guy.”  Adoption center staff dubbed the tolerant, affectionate tomcat "Valentine."





Valentine was x-rayed to observe the damage done by the arrow.  To the doctors’ amazement, his leg muscles and tendons were not seriously injured.  “The arrow fractured both ulnas,” reports Dr. Russ Ehlmann.  “But since the radius is the weight-bearing bone, he did not require surgery to stabilize those fractures, just cage rest.”  Also on his treatment schedule was the all-important surgery for the once-roving tomcat to be neutered.  

Valentine continued his recuperation with a volunteer foster family.  Vicki Bolger and daughter Dana took Valentine into their Chesterfield home for several weeks of R & R.  “He’s so sweet and affectionate,” says Vicki.  "He loves belly rubs.  He would make a great therapy pet."

Valentine met his match in June when Ann Stockton of St. Charles adopted the friendly feline. "He's going to stay inside where no one can ever hurt him again," said Stockton.

The man who shot Valentine with the arrow was charged with Class A Misdemeanor Animal Abuse and served 10 days of his 90-day suspended sentence in jail.  He was ordered to pay $250 to the city of Park Hills for street repairs and $747.71 to the Humane Society of Missouri for Valentine’s medical care.

Unfortunately, both cat owners allowed their cats to roam outdoors, something that is illegal in St. Louis City and County.  Missouri state law dictates that pet owners must exhibit "adequate control" over their pets in order to “reasonably restrain or govern an animal so that the animal does not injure itself, any person, any other animal or property.”  The Humane Society of Missouri strongly urges all cat owners to keep their cats indoors to ensure that their pet doesn’t fall victim to cars, stray dogs, poisons or inhumane people. 

Humane Society of Missouri employees and volunteers would like to thank Park Hills Police Chief Bill Holloway, Park Hills police officers and employees of the Park Hills street department, without whom this rescue would not have been possible.

To donate to the Humane Society of Missouri ongoing rescue efforts, please call the development department at (314) 951-1542 or donate securely online.  To report suspected animal abuse or neglect, phone (314) 647-4400 or report anonymously online.