A tragic fireplace at a Lengthy Island animal sanctuary has left a whole neighborhood in mourning. Early Monday morning, a blaze tore by the Pleased Cat animal sanctuary in Medford, claiming the lifetime of its founder and greater than 100 cats.
Police responded to the hearth round 7:15 a.m. By the point the flames have been extinguished at 8:35 a.m., the sanctuary was lowered to rubble. Suffolk County police confirmed that 65-year-old Christopher Arsenault, the person behind the sanctuary, was killed within the fireplace—believed to have perished whereas attempting to save lots of the animals below his care.
The sanctuary was residence to not less than 300 cats. Officers say not less than a 3rd are believed to have died within the fireplace, although efforts are ongoing to rescue, deal with, and rehome the survivors.
Detectives from each the murder and arson squads are actively investigating the reason for the hearth. Whereas it’s too early to find out precisely the way it began, the circumstances have raised suspicions. Suffolk County Police Chief of Detectives William Doherty said that it was too quickly to substantiate the trigger, however the investigation stays open.
Lengthy Island animal rights activist John DeBacker posted on Fb that Arsenault had been harassed within the months main as much as the hearth. He speculated that the hearth may very well be associated, encouraging followers to protect any on-line interactions which may be related to a possible arson investigation. DeBacker declined to remark additional when contacted by the media.
Suffolk County SPCA Chief Roy Gross described the loss as a devastating blow to each the animal rescue neighborhood and those that knew Arsenault personally.
It’s a horrible state of affairs, Gross stated. Actually tragic.
In response to data, Pleased Cat Inc. was a nonprofit created to offer a protected haven for cats in want. Arsenault started the sanctuary in 2006 after shedding his son in a bike accident. Buddies say it turned his life’s mission, and he was engaged on relocating the sanctuary upstate to develop the care he might supply.
On the day of the hearth, a number of rescue teams and volunteers rushed to the location to assist. The remaining cats have been being rounded up, given medical care, and ready for brand spanking new placements. A number of organizations stepped in instantly to make sure that the animals obtained meals, shelter, and vet consideration.
Whereas investigators proceed to seek for solutions, Arsenault is being remembered as a person who devoted his life to caring for animals, particularly those that had nowhere else to go. His loss, together with the lives of so many cats, has shaken the neighborhood.
Those that knew Arsenault described him as variety, passionate, and deeply devoted to each animal he rescued. Within the face of adversity, he continued to combat for the lives that relied on him.
His legacy lives on within the lots of of animals he saved—and within the hearts of those that proceed his mission.
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