Reward for info on kitten-killer at $13,500

Three animal-rights groups have all separately put out rewards in attempts to solicit information that will lead to an arrest on the Colorado City incident involving the cementing of a live kitten in a metal pole.

The kitten had been discovered in a 7-foot pole on the ranch of a man long associated with the United Effort Plan, which owns most of the land in the polygamous townships of Colorado City and Hildale, on the Utah-Arizona border. The kitten was seen by commentators as but one more victim in the ongoing struggle between the FLDS Church and non- or ex-FLDS members over the community's future.

Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah, put up $5,000. The sanctuary cared for the kitten, which was named "Thomas," after rescuers took the animal there for help. It died from injuries sustained from the hardening concrete encasing its body five days after it was found.

In a press release, Best Friends CEO Gregory Castle noted, “Though we were not able to save Thomas, we were able to draw comfort knowing that in his final hours, we were able to show him that people can be kind and loving, and that we were able to relieve his pain.”

Best Friends wasn't the only animal group moved by the kitten's plight to post a reward.

People for Ethical Treatment for Animals [PETA] put up $2,500, and the Humane Society of Utah a further $5,000. The Utah Animal Rights Coalition added another $1,000 on Tuesday.

Humane Society of Utah spokesman Carl Arky said that the combined sum is a positive move. "Hopefully, that will convince somebody to step forward and divulge some information that will lead to an arrest and a conviction."