Cat survives stabbing during burglary in Virginia Beach

Posted to: Crime News Pets Virginia Beach
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By Kathy Adams
The Virginian-Pilot
© September 4, 2009

VIRGINIA BEACH

Hershey, a 10-year-old Persian cat who his owner says "wouldn't hurt a thing," is recovering this week after a burglar stabbed him repeatedly with a butcher knife.

On Monday afternoon, burglars broke into his family's home and stole money, laptops, video games and other items before stabbing the cat multiple times and fleeing.

Joe Ciccone said his 21-year-old daughter returned home around 2:30 p.m. and found Hershey lying in a utility room with an 8-inch butcher knife buried in his body.

She took him to the veterinarian where, after surgery, a blood transfusion and other procedures, he survived.

"It's a miracle," Joe Ciccone said. "Nobody can believe this cat is surviving."

Hershey was already walking Thursday and may be able to return home from the hospital today, Ciccone said.

But the burglary and attack have devastated the family, Ciccone said. Hershey's vet bills alone total roughly $3,000.

"They devastated us financially," Ciccone said. "They took everything."

Ciccone said he thinks the burglars were already in the family's home in the 2000 block of Meadow Crest Way when he and his 13-year-old daughter stopped by around 11:30 a.m. to pick up her pompoms for cheerleading practice.

He said he noticed the family's Wii video game system was packed in a bag on the kitchen floor but thought one of his three children had left it there. Now he thinks the burglars packed it.

Neighbors said they saw one of the men and provided a description to police for a sketch composite. The Police Department's Property Crimes Unit and Animal Control are investigating. No arrests had been made Thursday.

Police ask that anyone with information about this incident call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP (562-5887).

The Humane Society of the United States and the Virginia Beach Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals are offering additional rewards totaling $3,000.

"It's a bunch of cowards," Ciccone said of the burglars. "I don't know why anybody would want to come in and hurt a defenseless animal like that."

"It's heinous."

Abbey Animal Hospital is collecting donations to pay for Hershey's veterinary bills. For more information, call (757) 471-1003.

Donations can also be made by contacting a branch of the Virginia Beach Schools Federal Credit Union. The account is in Hershey's name.

Kathy Adams, (757) 222-5155, kathy.adams@pilotonline.com

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evidence?

Submitted by vbfamily on Fri, 09/04/2009 at 10:12 am.

Were the cats claws checked for human tissue or hair?

Cat Claws

Submitted by PUCKEATR on Fri, 09/04/2009 at 1:39 pm.

Were the cats claws checked for human tissue or hair?

Thats pretty funny. As soon as you send them a check to take care of the cost, I am sure they will get right on it.

TGIF

Wow - just terrible

Submitted by vbfamily on Fri, 09/04/2009 at 10:08 am.

So sorry for the horrible burglary, but glad I'm glad your cat survived.

Media doesn't know the difference

Submitted by lawrenceb82104 on Fri, 09/04/2009 at 9:40 am.

It is true media does not know the difference between a robbery,burglary or larceny. I watched and read our local media report on a theft in Virginia Beach where three suspects smashed jewelry cases and fled with Rolex Watches worth thousands of dollars. The reporting media repeatedly referred to the incident as a robbery when in fact it was a Grand Larceny. To be a robbery there has to be the element of a threat or intimidation to the victim to achieve the taking of the victims property. You do not have to show a weapon, the suspect can just say or imply a weapon and can even verbally tell the victim to give up the money or the victim will be harmed and that would qualify as a robbery. Just stealing or fraud is not robbery.

To ediesinger

Submitted by lawrenceb82104 on Fri, 09/04/2009 at 9:28 am.

You are incorrect on your definition of a burglary. Breaking into a car or reaching into a car is not a burglary in Virginia. It has to be a dwelling or business. It also can include an attached garage and there has to be the intent to commit a larceny or a felony.

Hershey

Submitted by ec43694 on Fri, 09/04/2009 at 9:10 am.

Where can someone make a donation to help with the vet bills?

I hope they...

Submitted by dupont94 on Fri, 09/04/2009 at 8:31 am.

I hope they catch the creep(s) and throw the book at him. It's bad enough to invade someone's home, but to stab a defenseless animal in the process is just plain sickening.

A Cat ????

Submitted by Jonest on Fri, 09/04/2009 at 7:56 am.

I'm telling you, the America has gone to crap!!! A Cat???? Are you Kidding??? Arm yourselves and start shootng back, maybe the thugs will get a clue, as for me, I already carry one.

Alarm system!

Submitted by jwb on Fri, 09/04/2009 at 6:20 am.

I'm posting this again since he was blocked by the same ole same ole bias moderators. So here goes again. All this could very well have been avoided with home security system. Why did this Burglary get reported in the first place when scores of them are happening every day? Why? because a cat was involved? It could have very well have been a family member. Get a alarm system for your house. This was another stupid story that the pilot does just to fill up space.

Probably will get deleted, but will keep on trying.