$5,000 reward offered after kitty found burned in Kensington

A $5,000 REWARD is being offered to help authorities catch whoever intentionally set fire to a kitten found in Kensington last week.

A woman recovered the 4- to 5-week-old male kitten last Thursday at Allegheny Avenue and F Street. Authorities said the kitten suffered burns over more than one-third of his body, with most of the burns on his head and back.

The Humane Society of the United States announced the reward yesterday, citing the "depraved act of cruelty."

"This is the latest in a disturbing string of animals apparently being intentionally lit on fire," Sarah Speed, Pennsylvania state director for the Humane Society, said in a statement. "This depraved act of cruelty will not be tolerated, and we hope this reward will encourage anyone with information to come forward and help bring the perpetrator to justice."

The kitten is being treated at Crown Veterinary Hospital in Lebanon, N.J., and is expected to recover.

The Pennsylvania SPCA is investigating. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call 866- 601-SPCA (7722).

- Solomon Leach