Animal cruelty is always impossible for anyone decent to comprehend. There’s never a justification for cruelty of any kind, but we’re happy to say that such offenses are being treated with the seriousness they deserve, or at least much more than in the past. For instance, one young man in Dayton, Ohio, is facing an avalanche of charges after Joffrey, the kitten, was senselessly set on fire.
Warning: Before Image May Be Disturbing to Some Viewers
Joffrey the Kitten Survived Extreme Cruelty
A young man, Eric Williams, 21, was indicted on a slew of charges that keep adding up after an act of animal cruelty he maintains he didn’t commit. If it wasn’t Williams, somebody on the scene set Joffrey the kitten on fire in a Dayton neighborhood.
On Sunday, July 7, 2024 police arrived on the scene of a fight at the intersection of Richmond and Kenwood Avenues. A neighbor was reportedly “extremely upset about his neighbors for burning a kitten.” The neighbor, a woman, told police she didn’t know what happened. When she saw a burning object running across the yard, she tried to put the fire out with water, she said.
Joffrey the kitten after rescue, Humane Society of Greater Dayton
Meanwhile, her boyfriend, Williams, was nearby. According to his account, the kitten had been following him and he reacted most strangely: He got his Pit Bull.
Court documents revealed: “The dog began licking and playing with the kitten, causing him to become frustrated.”
Afterward, Williams maintained somebody else set the kitten on fire for no apparent reason. Yet he wouldn’t reveal who that might be at the time. Meanwhile, an empty gas can was found on the porch of the home.
Although he denied being responsible, Williams is facing these charges:
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Arson
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Having weapons while under disability
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Unlawful possession of dangerous ordinance
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Cruelty to companion animals
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Possessing criminal tools
Williams via Montgomery County Jail/WIOTV7 with Joffrey receiving care at the Humane Society
After a Montgomery County grand jury indicted Williams on one felony count of cruelty to companion animals and one misdemeanor count of arson on July 17, they added additional charges to the list later.
At such a young age, Williams is in custody at the Montgomery County Jail and is expected to appear in court on August 8. Sadly, it’s one life potentially ruined for the foreseeable future and a kitten who faces a long road to recovery. It’s all just so pointless and there’s just no reason for these kind of things to continually happen. But, as we’ll see next, so many kind people have lifted up Joffrey in the aftermath.
Joffrey Fights for Survival
Sadly, Joffrey’s entire small body was burned. He was “an innocent kitten who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time,” the Humane Society said.
The rescuers are the ones who named the cutie.
Due to the critical burns and large wounds, the Humane Society of Greater Dayton took the kitten to The Ohio State University Veterinary Center.
Thankfully, Joffrey survived two surgeries, and antibiotics have helped him overcome a severe infection. But as we’ve seen with cats caught up in wildfires such as those in Maui, it takes months for such burn victims to recover with specialized and intensive daily care. Thus, Joffrey will have to endure more surgeries and rehabilitation for months. All because somebody did something really cruel for no apparent reason.
“Our team immediately began round-the-clock care for him, administering pain relief, changing bandages, and performing necessary procedures to stabilize him and clean and manage his burns,” the Humane Society shared.
So far, Joffrey’s bills have topped $3K, and they expect they will need to double that before the kitten’s veterinary stay is complete. (That with generous vets using their own funds to cover some costs.)
“We do this because we believe in second chances and want to see this amazing and resilient kitten fully heal,” the Humane Society spokesperson said.
Thanks to the Humane Society and donations, the kitten will get the best chance for a better future.
“No creature should endure the cruelty and inhumane suffering that Joffrey has had to deal with, but thankfully he is with us now and receiving the best care he can get,” they shared.
We’re rooting for Joffrey and for an end to all senseless acts of animal cruelty!
You can find out how to help on the Humane Society’s website, Facebook, or Instagram.
Video showing Joffrey days ago by WDTNTV:
