By Andrew W. Griffin

Red Dirt Report, editor

Posted: April 7, 2012

reddirtreporter@gmail.com

MOORE, Okla. – After what Figaro the cat has been through, it is probably safe to say a few of his “nine lives” have been used up.

And despite enduring serious abuse at the hands of his hateful owners in Midwest City, the friendly black-and-white cat with the will to survive is safe and sound in his cat bed on the floor of the adoption room at All Hours Animal Hospital.

“Right now we’re letting him hang out,” said Dr. Jackie Puterbaugh, a veterinarian at the animal hospital. “He’s very friendly and he likes to be around other cats and likes being with people.”

It’s the “being with people” part that may sound surprising, after what he’s been through. As more information has come out, it appears Figaro’s owners – adults and children – were using poor Figaro as the equivalent of a soccer ball, throwing him against the wall, damaging his fragile body.

Puterbaugh told Red Dirt Report that it was a neighbor child that took Figaro and an adult neighbor put an ad on Craigslist explaining the grave situation. The ad was eventually answered by Ms. Kitty’s Cat Rescue in Nichols Hills and he was taken to see Puterbaugh, where he has remained ever since.

News station KFOR and reporter Lance West first brought the story of Figaro to viewers in the Oklahoma City metro area and last week Red Dirt Report followed up on Figaro’s case with this story. Several days ago we went to check on Figaro and he appears to be doing a lot better despite his permanent injuries.

Taking us into an examination room, Puterbaugh put up an X-ray showing Figaro’s injured spine and damaged vertebrae.

“Essentially they broke his neck right in front of his shoulder,” Puterbaugh said.

Back in the adoption room, spunky Figaro has gotten up from his cat bed and begins walking, his legs splayed awkwardly. It’s clear he is doing his best to walk normally. But Puterbaugh is quick to remind us that Figaro will no longer be a normal feline.

“The way he walks is due to the damage to the spine. He doesn’t have good control,” she said.

That means Figaro will not be able to climb to high spots, as cats are want to do. He can use a litter box and is eating heartily. But from the dandruff and old cat hair it looks as though grooming may be a struggle for the little guy.

Puterbaugh said that since Figaro’s story has received media attention over the past few weeks, there has been an outpouring of interest in adopting him. A list is being formed and reference checks are being done on those wishing to adopt him. She said he can’t be in a home with a dog. He will also have to remain indoors and that the eventual owner will have to face the fact that Figaro may develop other issues later in life that require veterinary attention.

And what of the case? Is there one? Puterbaugh said “Midwest City isn’t doing anything.” Considering children were involved in the abuse and that the parents were allegedly involved as well, has the city of Midwest City or DHS checked on the home?

As Puterbaugh understands it, the police checked on the home after a concerned relative in New Mexico contacted Midwest City PD. Nothing more is known of the family who made life hell for Figaro.

“Essentially, nothing is going to be done,” Puterbaugh said with a  sigh.

But this is unfortunately part of the culture here. Animals – even companion animals – are seen as disposable “things.” Puterbaugh shared a horrifying story of a couple who brought in a nearly dead cocker spaniel who was in such bad shape – and later died – that she verbally chastised them for allowing the poor dog to suffer so.

But nothing will happen to those animal abusers, she said. Plus, district attorney’s and other law enforcement officials have their hands full. It is not viewed as a priority, she said.

“This highlight Oklahoma’s weak law regarding animal abuse,” Puterbaugh said. “When these sorts of things occur, it’s difficult for animal control to do anything. Your problem is with the legislature.”

Oklahoma Statutes regarding cruelty to animals do make what happened to Figaro a felony. The abusers, if found guilty, could face up to five years in prison. The problem is enforcing the law, she said.

Puterbaugh continued, saying that when tougher laws are considered, breeders and others fight them. She said that the simple solution is to label protected animals as “companion animals.” And requiring dog and cat owners to spay and neuter their pets should also be mandatory. She noted that in this era of tight budgets, simple solutions like that would save local municipalities and the state a lot of money.

And the puppy mills and tax-avoiding pet breeders that populate this state, making thousands under the table? Collect information on them and send it to the IRS. When they start getting hit in the wallet, she said, they will reconsider their shady activities.

“To me, it’s a pretty easy fix,” Puterbaugh said.

In Oklahoma – and in general – there are a lot more dog rescue groups than cat rescue groups, she said. A prevailing attitude, unfortunately, is that people will see a cat die and just get another one. “It’s just a cat,” Puterbaugh said of the attitudes of some people. “Cats are at the bottom of the totem pole.”

But cats are important to many people and there are local rescue groups out there, she said.

“You have a lot of good people who are trying to make a difference,” Puterbaugh said. “People like Ms. Kitty’s Cat Rescue and Paws-OK.”

Red Dirt Report contacted Sally Quillian with Ms. Kitty’s Cat Rescue and learned that Audrey Sartin, a volunteer, answered the Craigslist ad and was the one who advised the kind neighbor of Figaro’s plight. Quillian believes the brave neighbors should be recognized as heroes by the city council in Midwest City.

Said Quillian, in an email: “If current laws make it impossible to  pursue and punish the abuser, then we must at least recognize, honor and support those compassionate and courageous individuals who removed Figaro from his abusive situation.”

Puterbaugh also highlighted the efforts of the Moore Animal Shelter and the animal welfare supervisor Gayla Sesher.

Meanwhile, back in the adoption room, Figaro sits there, looking up at Puterbaugh and your Red Dirt Reporter. He seems pretty content now, the horrors of his previous home life behind him. Puterbaugh says he’ll sometimes sleep with another cat, a pretty one and fellow survivor named Frisbee who had his own brush with death after being hit by a car over on Eastern Avenue and “sailed through the air like a Frisbee.”

Another cat friend is Maestro, a beefy, black-and-white male who is as talkative as the day is long.

When he arrived, he didn’t move around much, she said, now Figaro is “moving around because of the other cats.”

As he waits for his loving “forever home,” Figaro is in good company at All Hours Animal Hospital.

To find out more about Figaro and other adoptable cats and dogs at All Hours Animal Hospital, go to www.emergencyvetokc.com.

Copyright 2012 West Marie Media