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Olivia:

A Survivor's Story

On July 31, 1997 some motorists in Bloomington, Indiana saw a cat on fire. Somehow, they managed to catch the animal and get her to a veterinary hospital. Six year old Olivia, the cat the motorists saved, was the most severely injured cat of a group of four cats subjected to animal cruelty. Olivia is hospitalized in Indianapolis with third-degree burns over 40% of her body. Although she is expected to survive, Olivia will undoubtedly be permanently disfigured.

It is most likely Olivia's fur will never grow back, and her tail may have to be amputated. In addition, the tendons in her back legs will require surgery. It is anticipated Olivia may need to be hospitalized for another two to four weeks.

On the morning of August 10, 1997 police arrested Indiana University Students Errett Rouch and Blake Case at their Bloomington home. According to police, Rouch and Case used hair spray and a cigarette lighter to set Olivia and the other three cats on fire. The two students have been charged with animal cruelty, a class "A" misdemeanor under Indiana law. Despite the serious nature of the accusations, they face a maximum of one year in jail.

Indiana University officials are currently considering disciplinary action gainst the accused. Under the Indiana University Student Code of Ethics, the students may be expelled permanently for their actions, even if they are not covicted by a criminal court. However, the University remains undecided on it's course of action.

A petition is being circulated, via the World Wide Web, asking that the University take the appropriate action and, if Errett Rouch and Blake Case are found at fault for these actions, permanently expel both students. To sign that petition, click here .

Olivia will remain hospitalized for several more weeks, and her family is quickly exhausting their resources to pay for her care. If you can donate, even a small sum, please send it to:

Indianapolis Veterinary Emergency Center
5245 Victory Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46203

Please write "for Olivia's care" on your check. If donations exceed the amount needed to care for little Olivia, a fund for other animals needing veterinary care will be set up using the remainder.

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