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The SPCA for Monterey County is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons who abused an opossum in Sherwood Park near the Tatum’s Garden playground for children.
On March 6, an injured female opossum was found wrapped in a t-shirt in the park. The opossum had burn marks all over her body that appeared to be intentional. Due to the severity of the wounds, the opossum was humanely euthanized to end her suffering. Sadly, the opossum had recently given birth to six babies. Three of the babies were already deceased on rescue, one died on arrival at the SPCA Wildlife Center, and two had to be euthanized because they were too young to survive outside their mother’s pouch even with professional rehabilitative care.
If caught, the perpetrator(s) could potentially be charged with the following offenses: California Penal Code Sections 597(a) animal cruelty and Penal Code 597(b) mutilating and torturing an animal. Both charges are felonies and carry a punishment of more than a year in prison and a fine up to $20,000.
If you have any information about this case, please contact The SPCA’s Humane Investigations department at 831-264-5402. All calls are completely confidential. To donate to help rescue injured and orphaned wild animals, please call the SPCA or donate online at www.SPCAmc.org.
