Brooklyn Council Member Receives PETA Award for Rescuing Cat From BQE

Stephen Levin Snatches Pregnant Cat With Bullet Wound From Busy Highway

For Immediate Release:
April 6, 2015

Contact:
Alexis Sadoti 202-483-7382

A Compassionate Action Award is on its way from PETA to Brooklyn Council Member Stephen Levin, who reportedly rushed to the aid of a cat stranded on the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway on March 26. Braving busy traffic—and bites and scratches from the terrified cat—Levin secured the animal and took her to a Williamsburg animal shelter, where veterinarians discovered that the cat, now named Loretta, was pregnant and had been shot in the hip, among other signs of abuse.

Loretta is now recovering, thanks to Levin, who will receive a framed certificate and a box of delicious vegan chocolates from PETA for his bravery.

“Council Member Levin went to extraordinary efforts to make sure that this cat escaped a life-threatening predicament and made it to a safe haven,” says PETA Senior Director Colleen O’Brien. “PETA hopes his kindness and tenacity will inspire others to stop and help animals in need.”

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—reminds everyone of the importance of reporting suspected incidents of cruelty to animals. People who hurt animals are often repeat offenders who pose a risk to all living beings.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.