Credit: Bucks County SPCA
A Fairless Hills man has been charged by Bucks County SPCA police with shooting two cats in Falls Township last month.
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Shawaun Lakins, 45, was charged on Wednesday with two counts aggravated cruelty to animals – causing bodily injury or death. He was awaiting a preliminary arraignment.
Bucks County SPCA police said they zeroed in on Lakins as a suspect after receiving a tip in response to news articles and a reward following the shooting that killed one cat and injured another.
The shooting happened on November 15 in the area of Aspen Falls Apartments.
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“Investigators received video footage showing a man in a trench coat who appeared to conceal something and then the sound of possible gunshots before a black and a white cat are seen running in the parking area,” the Bucks County SPCA said in a press release.
In the first case, a cat named Tootsie was harmed and, upon examination at a veterinary hospital, an object was found near its spine, authorities said.
In another incident, a cat named Jackie was hurt and had to undergo surgery to remove a severely injured eye. There remains an object in the left side of her skull near her left eye, which could not be safely extracted due to its delicate position, authorities said.
Credit: Bucks County SPCA
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Jackie has been recovering at home, officials said.
“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. 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,” Bucks County SPCA Executive Director Linda Reider said.
Anyone who suspects an animal in Bucks County is being neglected or abused has been asked to contact the Bucks County SPCA’s cruelty tip line at 844-SPCA-Tip (844-772-2847) or reportcruelty@buckscountyspca.org.
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Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
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