Security guards rescue kitten tied to train tracks

[peejay 327]

Security guards rescue kitten tied to tracks

They saw a man and woman tying the tiny calico at railroad

By BRIAN CHASNOFF

San Antonio Express-News

SAN ANTONIO — The calico kitten was riddled with fleas and so scrawny you could see its backbone.

Yet the animal was in far better shape Thursday morning than it had been several hours earlier, when two off-duty security guards on a secluded South Side road saw a man and a woman tying the creature to some railroad tracks with a shoelace, a police report said.

The couple got away, but the kitten, christened Tracks, got a temporary home with one of its rescuers.

"We're trying to make it fat," said John Hernandez, 22, feeding the skeletal weeks-old feline a second can of beef and gravy.

Police are investigating the case as one of deadly conduct because Hernandez and the other guard, Jacob Salinas, said the man pointed a gun at them.

The city also could assign an animal cruelty officer to the case.

The strange case comes on the heels of tougher animal-cruelty laws passed this year by Texas lawmakers.

House Bill 2328 would allow pet owners to be punished for seriously injuring their animals and extends protection to stray dogs and cats, defining cruelty as something that "causes or permits unjustified or unwarranted pain or suffering."

Cruising near the intersection of Shane and Villamain about 3 a.m., Hernandez and Salinas noticed a young man and woman standing over the Union Pacific railroad tracks, a police report said. The friends felt something was wrong and doubled back and noticed a kitten in the woman's hand.

"They knew we were watching them," Hernandez said.

So Hernandez switched off his headlights and parked nearby.

"It was disgusting, really, seeing someone tie a kitten to the tracks," Salinas said, "just for the joy of seeing it get run over."

The couple got into a green Saturn and pulled away. Hernandez drove closer and killed his engine. Silence. Then the high-pitched cry of the kitten. It was upside-down, its back legs bound to the tracks, he said.

Hernandez and Salinas untied the creature, got back in the pickup and called police. They caught up to the Saturn and recorded the license plate number but backed off when the man stopped the car, retrieved a gun from the trunk and pointed it at them, Hernandez and Salinas said.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metrop...an/4895033.html

Edited June 16, 2007 by peejay

[PaulineA 1]

Why didn't they just give the poor kitten to a good home? I can't believe there is still people around that would do something like this to a harmless animal. They should be tied to the train tracks. Cruel people. I'm glad the kitten was saved, and has a good home now.

[rclouse 0]

Since when did San Antonio move to California?

[Caladan 19]

Peejay, I'm not certain from your title whether you're upset at the people abusing the kitten or the people who untied it. (Real Americans run over kittens with trains while eating red meat and nuking commies?) In any case, San Antonio's still in Texas.

[KarenCee 3]

Am I missing something?? I don't see any reference to California...*rubs eyes again*

[Robor007 0]

If they got the plate number can't they arrest them for animal cruelty and/or gun charges?

[PaulineA 1]

Since when did San Antonio move to California?

I don't see where it mentions anything about California in the article. Are you refering to Calico? That is all I can think you mean. Calico is the color of the kitten that is the name for it. Some people think that it's the breed of cat, but it's actually the name for the markings/colors of the kitten in the article.

[Caladan 19]

The reference to California is because peejay seems to be all worked up about the land of fruits and nuts and flakes, which seems to refer to opinions about California rather than Texas, where San Antonio actually is.

[PaulineA 1]

The reference to California is because peejay seems to be all worked up about the land of fruits and nuts and flakes, which seems to refer to opinions about California rather than Texas, where San Antonio actually is.

Oh right, I was wondering why California was mentioned, lol. I thought I was going out of my mind.

[peejay 327]

The reference to California is because peejay seems to be all worked up about the land of fruits and nuts and flakes, which seems to refer to opinions about California rather than Texas, where San Antonio actually is.

Bingo! So why did you automatically associate "fruits, nuts, and flakes" with Cali? It has the reputation? But Texas is rapidly flaking out as well.

No brag...just fact. Just a personal observation for what it's worth.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Nice - some seriously disturbed people at work. You'd expect that sort of sick ###### from kids who didn't know better, not from adults. Psychos...

[natty bumppo 297]

Oh no ... we're being invaded by the "land of fruits and nuts and flakes" too ...

[Caladan 19]

I keep expecting the line to end.... "lucky charms... they're magically delicious!"

[homesick_american 1]

The reference to California is because peejay seems to be all worked up about the land of fruits and nuts and flakes, which seems to refer to opinions about California rather than Texas, where San Antonio actually is.

Bingo! So why did you automatically associate "fruits, nuts, and flakes" with Cali? It has the reputation? But Texas is rapidly flaking out as well.

No brag...just fact. Just a personal observation for what it's worth.

It's because of all the out-of-staters and left-coasters moving there. Damn carpetbaggers.

[Jamie76 0]

People who torture and kill animals in this manner should be treated in the same fashion as people who do the same to humans.