Kitten Recovering From Injuries As Lakewood Inquiry Continues

LAKEWOOD, NJ — Lakewood police are continuing to look into allegations that a group of students abused a kitten on Monday, and are searching for more information after two Good Samaritans told them they saw a group of boys around the kitten before finding it hurt.

The kitten, now named Mickey, is recovering from injuries that include a cracked rib and a hernia, according to Sara Cameron, president of Calling All Cats Rescue, which is caring for the kitten.

In an update she posted Thursday evening, Cameron said Dr. Glenn Behan at Barnegat Animal Clinic examined Mickey and said he does not believe the kitten has jaw damage and that an injury to his bottom lip will heal. Cameron said Mickey "thankfully only external damage around his rectum," allegedly from students poking the kitten's rectum with sticks.

Lakewood Capt. Gregory Staffordsmith said officers on Thursday learned there were two Good Samaritans who found the injured kitten while walking down Laurel Avenue in Lakewood, and that Mickey was discovered on Monday.

Police spoke with one of the Good Samaritans Thursday morning, and that woman told police that before finding the injured kitten she saw a group of what appeared to be younger boys gathered around the kitten.

"Fearing that the group was actively engaged in harming the young animal she ran towards them causing them to scatter," Staffordsmith said. When she came back to where the kitten was, there was another woman with the kitten, the woman told police.

"After a brief discussion one of the Samaritans decided that they would harbor the injured kitten while the other stated that they would contact the police," Staffordsmith said. Police still had not received an official report as of 8:45 p.m. on Thursday.

Staffordsmith said after the woman cared for the kitten "for several days she decided to contact the local rescue group Calling All Cats for further assistance."

Staffordsmith said police received the update on Mickey's condition late Thursday from Behan, who confirmed the broken rib and irritation to the kitten's anus, and said Mickey is expected to make a full recovery.

Police were able to find the second woman on Friday and Staffordsmith said she confirmed details given to by the woman who initially started nursing Mickey back to good health.

The second woman said she did not initially report the incident to the police, Staffordsmith said. Both women are working closely with investigators to try to identify those involved in this case.

"We realize the frustration felt by many in the delay in updated information," Staffordsmith said. "However, the Lakewood Police Department makes every effort to gather and investigate facts so that we can make an informed and intelligent release in conjunction with conducting a thorough investigation."

He said police are continuing to investigate the allegations. Anyone with information regarding the incident or the identity of the second Samaritan is urged to contact the Lakewood Police Department at 732-363-0200.

Note: Updated with information from the second Good Samaritan.

Have a news tip? Email karen.wall@patch.com Follow Lakewood Patch on Facebook.