$2,500 Reward Paid For Lower Bucks Co. Cat Shooting

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA —The Bucks County SPCA is paying out a $2,500 reward for a tip that led to an arrest in the shooting of two cats in Fairless Hills in November 2023.

For only the second time in organizational memory, the Bucks County SPCA is paying out a reward for a tip that led to the conviction of a perpetrator of animal cruelty.

BCSPCA investigated the shooting of two cats, Tootsie and Jackie, near the Aspen Falls Apartments on Nov. 15, 2023.

As part of the investigation, BCSPCA offered a $2,500 reward for information leading to the offender's conviction.

As a result of social media and local news coverage, the BCSPCA received video footage from a member of the community that led to the identification of the Shawaun Lakins of Fairless Hills.

Following a thorough investigation, we charged Mr. Lakins with two felony counts of aggravated cruelty to animals.

In December 2024, he pled guilty and has paid more than $6,000 in restitution to the owner of the cats for medical expenses incurred, as well as fines and court costs. He will serve four years of supervised probation.

Both cats belonged to the same owner who was heartbroken when she learned of the malicious attack.

Tootsie, a white cat, died from injuries she sustained from the shooting (radiographs showed a pellet lodged near her spine).

Jackie, a black cat, survived the shooting but required surgery to remove her badly damaged eye and still has one pellet lodged in her skull. Jackie made a good recovery, and her owner reported recently that she is alive and well.

“Sadly, BCSPCA is called upon to investigate shootings of owned animals in Bucks County each year. We are so thankful to the community who shared the reward post and news stories on social media," BCSPCA’s Executive Director Linda Reider said. "Thanks to the actions of concerned citizens, someone with credible information heard the story and contacted our Humane Law Enforcement team. We also appreciate the cooperation of Falls Township police in this investigation. This case should send a message to anyone who considers shooting or otherwise harming animals in Bucks County.”

It is illegal in the state to intentionally beat, injure, abuse, or cause serious bodily injury or death of an animal.

Anyone who suspects an animal is being neglected or abused should contact BCSPCA’s report cruelty tip line at 844-SPCA-Tip (844-772-2847) or reportcruelty@buckscountyspca.org.