An active investigation by the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force and the Morgan County Sheriff’s Office led to the arrest Tuesday night of a subject in the case of two adult cats that were found shot with arrows in Versailles, MO on Sept. 10.

The subject is a Versailles-area adult resident. Animal abuse charges are expected.

The Humane Society of Missouri is recommending prosecution to the fullest extent of the law. Charges of felony animal abuse carry a jail sentence of up to four years and/or a fine of up to $5,000 for each count.

The cats, both two-year-old males named Patches and Licorice, were shot in the neck with the arrows exiting or protruding near the shoulders. They were treated for pain and infection at the office of a local veterinarian and then transferred to the Humane Society of Missouri Headquarters where they have continued to receive care. Patches, who had the larger wound, is still in danger of losing a leg as a result of the injuries he sustained. Licorice has nerve damage along the path of the arrow which may or may not resolve as he recovers. The hope is that both cats will eventually be rehabilitated and adopted.