Husker, a 3-year-old cat, walked up owner Dusti Argys’ driveway near the 900 block of West Third Street around 2:30 p.m. May 19, covered in what looked to be motor oil, Argys said.
Argys said she is concerned that someone is targeting cats in her neighborhood by covering them in oil. She said Husker’s front and rear were soaked in oil, but the middle of his belly was clean.
She washed Husker multiple times with soap before taking him to the veterinarian’s office. The cat, currently at Animal Care Center, 120 Pahlone Parkway, Poncha Springs, had much of his fur shaved because the oil soaked to the cat’s skin.
Veterinarian Dr. Mark Vandenberg said the best thing to do when an animal is covered in petroleum-based products is to “wash the animal in Dawn soap, clean the nasal cavity and mouth, then seek professional help.”
Vandenberg said the danger of petroleum is the vapors get into the lungs and into the gastrointestinal tract. Petroleum products affect the liver, kidney and lungs, eventually shutting the organs down, which is fatal.
Argys said she is offering $200 as a reward if the information leads to prosecution. “It isn’t much, because I have vet bills to pay now,” she said.
“It’s not OK what happened,” Argys said. “If something like this happens, report it to the authorities.”
Argys said the Salida Police Department is investigating the incident. The Mail called Salida police, but they could not be reached for comment.