NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio (Lu Ann Stoia/Ken Hines) — An Ohio animal rights group is calling for the firing of a humane officer who told a homeowner he was sending a litter of 8-week-old kittens to “kitty heaven” before fatally shooting the animals.
Officer Barry Accorti shot the kittens after responding to a call from a Lorain County woman on June 10. The woman reported that a mother cat and her kittens had taken residence in a woodpile in her family’s backyard, and asked that the animals be taken to a shelter. Accorti allegedly shot and killed all five kittens because, he said, there was no room at the shelter.
Theresa Landonk, Executive Director for the Ohio Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Ohio SPCA) said the shooting was wrong for multiple reasons, some which have nothing to do with the welfare of the animals. “Accorti’s actions were inhumane and illegal,” she said. “If a bullet ricocheted, it could very well have entered someone’s house, or shot the homeowner standing next to him.” Ohio SPCA officials said they will launch a full scale investigation into the shooting of the animals, due to complaints from North Ridgeville residents.
North Ridgeville Police Chief Mike Freeman stated that no disciplinary action will be taken against Accorti. SEE VIDEO HERE
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