A Belmont woman, Renee Tracy, is facing heartbreak and fear after discovering that her beloved cat, Akilah, had been shot with a BB gun in their own neighborhood. The incident occurred when Akilah returned home crying and injured, just moments after wandering off for a brief period. Renee noticed a wet spot on his forehead, initially mistaking it for water, only to find it was blood upon closer inspection.
The two-year-old cat is currently recovering but remains skittish from the traumatizing experience. The MSPCA-Angell Medical Hospital confirmed treating Akilah for injuries caused by a BB gun, leaving Renee distraught and desperate for answers regarding who could commit such an act of cruelty.
Expressing her anguish, Renee condemned the perpetrator’s actions as “absolutely vile and hateful,” emphasizing the defenseless nature of her innocent pet. She highlighted the rise in animal cruelty cases in Massachusetts, with statistics from the Massachusetts Trial Court indicating a more than 70% increase from 2019 to 2022. The FBI recognizes animal cruelty as a concerning indicator of potential future violence.
Renee Tracy, supported by the WBZ I-Team’s investigation, hopes that someone in Belmont witnessed the incident and will come forward with information. She emphasized the danger and unpredictability of such acts, wondering anxiously about what might happen next.
As Akilah continues to heal physically, Renee Tracy seeks justice and reassurance that such an act will not go unpunished, advocating for awareness and accountability in her community.
