Victory! ‘Gothic Kitten’ Piercer, Seller May Face Jail Time
Thanks to PETA’s investigation and the great job done by Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, officials, Holly Crawford—the woman who disfigured several kittens in hopes of selling them as oddities on eBay—has been convicted of cruelty to animals and may face up to several years in jail!
In December ’08, an eBay shopper tipped us off to Crawford’s auction of a miserable-looking kitten with a docked tail and heavy jewelry through much of his body. Crawford marketed him as a “gothic kitten.” The ad read: “[S]ix weeks old floppy eared pure black gothic kitten.14 gauge ear piercings.14 gauge submission ring on the back of the neck. docked tail with 14 gauge barbell on the end of the nub. comes with 14 gauge surgical steel jewelry and decorative submission lead.” Yes, not only had Crawford repeatedly pierced this kitten (which is bad enough), she had also “docked” his tail with a rubber band—and all without any anesthesia. Oh, and she’d done this to his littermates as well!
Posing as interested buyers, PETA learned that one of the kittens had already ripped out a piercing and that Crawford was waiting for the wound to heal before she pierced him again. During conversations with PETA, Crawford stated that the kittens could be walked by an ornamental leash fastened to the “submission rings” in their necks. The woman said she had done it to these tiny animals because she thought it was “neat.” In addition to inflicting immense pain and disfiguring these beings, Crawford had effectively impeded their hearing, physical balance, and psychological health, according to court testimony from a veterinarian.
We submitted information to local authorities, Crawford was charged with cruelty to animals, and all the kittens were confiscated. A year later, she went to trial and—thanks to a blistering prosecution that included testimony from PETA investigators—Crawford was found guilty!
As we await Crawford’s sentencing, please keep in mind animals who depend on you as their witnesses. Speak up for any animals you know of who are being abused. Remember, they are voiceless. It’s up to you!
Written by Logan Scherer
