A Sumner County man is behind bars after being accused of throwing a tiny kitten into a burn pit last weekend.
The five-week-old kitten died, but not before some extensive suffering. The rescue group FOX 17 News spoke with says this was one of the most graphic cases yet.
Phoenix, a newborn kitten, weighed around one pound and had his life cut too short.
“Severe burn injuries covered 100% of his body,” Amy Simcik with True Rescue said. “I was told he was tossed in a fire pit and was found a few days later.”
Simcik says Phoenix was rushed to her organization from Portland Animal Control. By that time, he had already inhaled a deadly amount of smoke and was unable to walk.
“He had so much nerve damage already that he was not responding to any kind of touch on both of his front paws. And we knew it would be a tough battle for him. We wanted to give him a shot.”
A battle that ended within 24 hours—with 39-year-old Richard Russell allegedly responsible. Russel was arrested Friday and charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty.
Read full story here: https://fox17.com/news/local/tennessee-rescue-group-speaks-on-horrific-animal-cruelty-arrest-portland-kitten-burned-richard-russell-true-rescue
Plus, South Nashville homeless camp cleaned up in May reappears, and Houston’s success in addressing homelessness is model Nashville hopes to use
00:00 Richard Russell arrested for throwing kitten into fire pit
02:00 South Nashville homeless camp cleaned up in May reappears
04:01 Houston’s success in addressing homelessness is model Nashville hopes to use
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