Ashland Police Investigate Cat Shooting in Elmarna/Westview/Mifflin Avenue Area
Joe Lyons •
February 6, 2025
Ashland Police Investigate Cat Shooting in Elmarna/Westview/Mifflin Avenue Area
ASHLAND, OH – Residents of Elmarna/Westview/Mifflin Avenue Area neighborhood are wondering about report of stray cat being shot and killed. This incident involved a well-known stray cat that had been fed and cared for by locals for nearly two years. The cat was found dead on a resident’s porch, later established to have suffered a possible fatal Pellet Gun wound.
Linda Yeater, a resident of the area, had been providing food, water, and shelter for a group of stray cats in her neighborhood. She became concerned when one of the cats, a frequent visitor to her porch, was found unresponsive in a heated shelter she had set up.
“I looked out and saw him lying in the heated shelter,” Yeater recalled. “At first, I thought he was just staying warm. But the next morning, when I checked on him, he was still there. That’s when I realized something was terribly wrong.”
After discovering the cat was deceased, she took it to Spring Meadow Veterinary Clinic, where an X-ray revealed the presence of a metal projectile in its abdomen. The wound above its eye raised further suspicion that the cat had been shot multiple times. Yeater filed a police report with the Ashland Police Division.
The police report indicates that Yeater has captured video footage of additional stray cats with similar injuries in the neighborhood. However, as of now, there are no known suspects.
The Ashland Police Division has launched an investigation into the matter. Police Captain Craig Kiley assured the public that crimes against animals are taken seriously.
“There is no reason to cause harm or death to an innocent animal,” Kiley stated.
Ryan Williams of the Cat House Sanctuary expressed deep concern over the reports of animal cruelty, emphasizing that such acts are not only tragic but also illegal under Ohio law.
“With the heartbreaking reports of stray cats being shot, our hearts are heavy with sorrow for these innocent lives lost,” Williams said. “Such cruel acts constitute a felony under Goddard’s Law. The Ohio Supreme Court recently affirmed that every dog and cat—including those without a home—is protected under this law.”
The Humane Society of Ashland County Ohio echoed these sentiments in a public Facebook post, urging anyone with information to come forward.
A significant ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court in October 2024 expanded the legal definition of “companion animal” to include stray dogs and cats. This decision ensures that animal cruelty laws apply to all dogs and cats, not just those that are owned or kept in a residential dwelling.
In a unanimous ruling, the court determined that felony-level penalties for harming animals apply regardless of ownership status. Justice Patrick F. Fischer wrote in the court’s opinion that “the prohibition on causing serious physical harm to a companion animal extends to all dogs and cats.”
Local residents, particularly those who have been caring for the stray cats, are now fearful for the safety of these animals and are calling for increased awareness and enforcement of animal cruelty laws.
“I just want to know who would do this and why,” Yeater said. “These cats weren’t bothering anyone. They were just trying to survive.”
Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the shootings to contact the Ashland Police Department. In the meantime, animal advocates continue to stress the importance of humane treatment for all animals, including strays.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials encourage community members to report any suspicious activity that could lead to identifying the individual responsible for these senseless acts of violence.