NC cat shot with bow and arrow finds new family

LEXINGTON, N.C. (WGHP) – The Davidson County Sheriff’s Office said a cat named Lizzie was discovered with injuries at a warehouse in Lexington.

Deputies say Russell Crowe fired the bow after his uncle allegedly directed Crowe to get rid of the cat.

Crowe was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty on Tuesday, and Ronnie Bolt was charged with a misdemeanor charge of instigating animal cruelty on Thursday.

Lizzie is recovering well, and she’s now starting a new life at a new home with a new family.

When Robin Boger first met Lizzie in person, she was at a loss for words.

“It was hard to look at knowing that someone inflicted that on her,” Boger said. 

Boger is giving Lizzie a shot at a better life, and that comes along with a name change. The cat, who is about a 1-year-old, was not always known as Lizzie.

It’s the name Boger picked out and references Lizzie Bennet from Jane Austen’s novel “Pride and Prejudice” for her beauty and strength.

To Boger, Lizzie’s new name means a new beginning.

“I just didn’t want to give the person that did that to her one bit of credit,” Boger said. 

Animal Care Foundation President Beth Blevins worked with the animal control officers to save Lizzie.

Animal Control brought Lizzie to a Thomasville veterinarian after she was saved from a warehouse along New Cut Road in Lexington. Deputies say that’s where Crowe and Bolt worked, and where Lizzie was found.

“She was basically target practice for an owner who decided that they didn’t want the cats on the property any longer,” Blevins said. 

A news release says reports were made requesting a welfare check on cats at a warehouse along New Cut Road, and that’s when Lizzie was discovered by Corporal Christian Soles.

“Soles picked her up and said, ‘You are safe, and I will make sure that you never have to go through this again,’” Blevins said. 

And that promise was made through Boger.

“She’s made our little family complete,” Boger said.

Crowe’s court appearance is set for Dec. 4. Boger said she will be there, hoping to get justice for Lizzie.

Lizzie was also found with her four kittens. Three are now in the process of getting adopted or are at a foster home

However, one of their siblings didn’t survive.