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St. Petersburg man uses Web to catch cat killer

By Abhi Raghunathan, Times Staff Writer
In print: Wednesday, April 16, 2008


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ST. PETERSBURG — After he learned that someone had beaten his cat, Amy, to death near his house, Paul Gilchrist decided he had to use his computer skills to find the culprit.

A search engine optimization specialist, Gilchrist launched whokilledamy.com with a biography of the Siamese cat and how it is named after a Thai restaurant waitress. He's offering $500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Amy's killer.

"When you're overcome with an emotion like this, you've got to vent it," he said. "I want whoever is responsible for this act to be apprehended."

Amy was seriously injured and was euthanized early Sunday. Police are investigating.

Two witnesses reported seeing a man attack Amy on Saturday afternoon. Ron Broadway said he was walking with his wife when they saw a man hitting something with a big stick. As they got closer, they saw a cat lying on the sidewalk, Broadway said.

Broadway's wife screamed at the man, who shouted an obscenity and said the cat attacked his dog, who was on a leash. The man, who was 6 feet tall, thin and shirtless, walked away. Broadway called 911 and animal services.

Gilchrist said he was gardening in the back yard of his home at 2256 Burlington Ave. N during the attack and didn't hear anything. When he goes into the yard, he said, Amy and his other two cats often go out as well.

When he walked outside and saw Amy, he thought she had been hit by a car. But a necropsy confirmed she was killed.

"It's pure malice," he said. "Someone was walking by and decided to have fun with my cat and they gave her a beating."

Abhi Raghunathan can be reached at araghunathan@sptimes.com or (727) 893-8472.



[Last modified: Apr 17, 2008 10:24 AM]



Comments on this article
by Dan Apr 17, 2008 10:24 AM
I hope you catch him how dispicable. Shirtless ? class act ! If he has a dog I'm sure that poor dog is also being abused. Find him and LOCK HIM UP !
by Truth Apr 17, 2008 10:21 AM
I am so sorry to hear of this and I hope that the monster responsible is caught. The punishment cannot be strong enough.
by Glennis Apr 16, 2008 6:00 PM
Yes, he does need to go to jail. Anyone with so little respect for the life of an innocent cat undoubtedly has no more respect for human life. How long before someone makes him angry enough that he injures or kills them.
by susie Apr 16, 2008 5:57 PM
I think we should find him & beat him to death with a stick!!!!
by Rayanne Apr 16, 2008 1:55 PM
A man like that needs to go to jail. It is proven animal abuse is an indicator for violence that can lead to people as well. This person has no respect for life and is obviously too stupid to realize animals are innocent and non-malicious. Mor
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