Clearfield cat named Sage dead, reward offered for information
Search for information continues in extreme torture and death of pet cat
Sage, 6-year-old gray and white domestic cat owned by the Cassel family of Clearfield, Utah died March 9, around 4:45 p.m. at the Advanced Veterinary Care Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sage suffered extensive injuries from abuse when he went missing Sunday, March 5, and was found Wednesday, March 8, by owner China Cassel. His health declined rapidly and CPR was performed but Sage could not be revived.
“Our sincerest condolences to Sage’s family and friends,” said Deann Shepherd, HSU representative. “We will never forget Sage. The Humane Society of Utah's mission is to eliminate pain, fear and suffering in all animals, so when we heard about the heinous torture poor little Sage endured and the suffering inflicted, our hearts broke. The person or people responsible need to be held accountable for their actions. This behavior is intolerable and highly disturbing; we do not want any further harm to come to another animal or person by the hands of this culprit.”
The Humane Society of Utah (HSU) is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible. The HSU hopes the reward assists Davis County Animal Services in obtaining information required to identify and charge whoever is responsible for this gruesome and brutal act of animal cruelty.
The Humane Society of Northern Utah (HSNU) -- a separate organization from the HSU collected donations to cover the veterinary hospital expenses for Sage and will provide a respectful cremation. Donations are tax-deductible to the HSNU and additional funds offered for medical care above the costs incurred will be applied to other deserving animals in need at the shelter.
“My heart is broken. Little Sage passed away,” said Debbie Barnes, HSNU president on the Humane Society of Northern Utah Facebook page. “He fought so hard....but was just too broken. He went downhill really fast and they did CPR but he was gone. Thank you to all the wonderful people that sent love and prayers. Little Sage is at the Rainbow Bridge where he can't be hurt any more. Please direct all new donations to https://www.utahhumane.org/donations in order to add to the reward to find who did this.”
HSU is accepting donations to increase the reward in hopes of receiving information. Donations made online at utahhumane.org/donations are tax-deductible and will be rolled over to help a future case if not claimed.
HSU recommends pet owners keep their cats indoors.
According to the Utah State Criminal Code, it is a third-degree felony for a person to intentionally or knowingly torture a companion animal. Torture is defined as intentionally or knowingly causing or inflicting extreme physical pain to an animal in an especially heinous, atrocious, cruel or exceptionally depraved manner.
Anyone with information regarding who may be responsible for the torture and death of Sage is urged to contact Davis County Animal Services at 801-444-2200 or John Fox, HSU chief investigator, at 801-261-2919 ext. 210. Tips can remain anonymous,
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About the Humane Society of Utah
The Humane Society of Utah is dedicated to the elimination of pain, fear and suffering in all animals. Since 1960, the HSU has been sheltering homeless animals, fighting cruelty and neglect, and creating an environment of respect, responsibility, and compassion for all animals across the state of Utah. HSU is the largest open-admissions shelter in the state and welcomes any companion animal that can legally be admitted. As a member of the No
-Kill Utah
(NKUT) Coalition, the HSU works hard to ensure that every healthy and treatable pet that enters the facility will be placed into a loving home. The Humane Society of Utah is a local, private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that does not receive any state tax dollars or government funding. HSU is funded by the voluntary contributions of individuals, businesses and foundations. Read more about the HSU online at www.utahhumane.org.
