MERIDIAN -- The Meridian Police Department is talking about a kitten that was reportedly abused, and died Monday night. They say what some called chemical burns from abuse may have actually been symptoms from a respiratory infection.
Northwest Animal Companions said last week the kitten they were caring for had been abused, kicked, thrown and burned with chemicals in its eyes and throat.
Meridian Police say there is no foundation for the allegations of abuse with chemicals.
Police say two veterinarians diagnosed the kitten named Raisin with an upper respiratory infection and didn't see problems that would result from chemical burning.
Basterrechea is calling the allegations made by the rescue group irresponsible and unwarranted as they created fear in the community.
Troy Jackson, the CEO of Northwest Animal Companions, stands by his staff diagnosing abuse by chemical burning. He says two to four veterinary professionals diagnosed what they believe were chemical burns in the cat's throat.
The cause of Raisin’s death is still undetermined. Meridian Police are arranging for a necropsy of the kitten to find out just what did happen.
Investigators interviewed the teenagers suspected of abusing the kitten. They have not been charged, but could still face misdemeanor animal abuse charges.
"Ultimately Raisin didn't have an upper respiratory infection to the best of our knowledge based on what we had learned from the doctors," Jackson said.
Jackson thinks there has been miscommunication with the Meridian Police Department, and he planned to make contact with officers Wednesday night.
"The sad tragedy here is not about what people think who's responsible or irresponsible or unwarranted. A little two month old kitten is not going to have a chance to play on a scratch post, bat around a little toy, cuddle up with kids, it got beat to death and tortured," Jackson said.
"Our big concern here is this has really, really flared up emotions in the community," Basterrechea said. "People are going to the extreme of the two kids involved in this are the future serial killers. Serial killers start out torturing animals. We don't even know this animal was actually tortured yet."
"This kitten was seen by two vets that we know of who both came up with the very similar diagnosis, basically an upper respiratory infection, very common in stray cats," Meridian Police Deputy Chief Tracy Basterrechea said.
