Abused Cat, Anxious Neighbors Get Help

COLUMBUS, Ohio—A local company has donated cash and pet food after several pets in a West Side neighborhood were abused or fatally poisoned.

NBC 4 reported with an update Sunday.

A couple’s dog was fatally poisoned, and a veterinarian said someone either kicked their 3-year-old cat or grabbed him by his hind leg and threw him against a wall.

Rambo has a chipped tooth and his leg was shattered in three places.

Rambo’s owner, Mike Humes, said his cat is one tough kitty.

“They think someone kicked him or possibly picked him up by the leg and swung him around and bashed him into something,” he said. “His leg has been shattered in three places from blunt-force trauma, and one of his teeth are chipped out,” Humes said.

The Humes’ 10-year-old family dog, Boss, was poisoned before Rambo was hurt. Boss had to be put to sleep.

A neighbor’s two dogs also were fatally poisoned.

Dave Raponi of Wow Internet & Cable saw Rambo’s story on air and wanted to help.

Wow Internet & Cable has donated $1,000 for Rambo’s surgery and delivered a truckload of pet food to the neighborhood.

“My wife and I are very involved in animal rescue and animals in general. It’s kind of a heartbreaking story, and we thought we needed to do something to help this family out and help Rambo out,” Raponi said.

“It’s overwhelming to know that there’s this much support in the community over such a short period of time,” Humes said.

As soon as the Humes have the full $2,500 for Rambo’s surgery, the procedure will be performed and the cast will come off.

In the meantime, neighbors hoped the responsible person is found and arrested.

Hume said he thinks he knows who is responsible and he said he hopes it’s just a matter of time before they are caught.

“I don’t understand. You’re taking my kids’ pets away, and I don’t have the money to keep going to the vet once a week. It’s just ridiculous,”

“It’s bad enough what happened to the animals, but we all have kids. We’re afraid that it could escalate into something else,” concerned neighbor Jack Downs said.

Downs is accepting donations for Rambo. Those who would like to donate money for Rambo’s surgery can call Downs at 614-218-5045.

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