Who Shot Timmy? Ill. Family Searches for Answers After Finding Cat Paralyzed with Bullet in Spine

Mar. 15, 2025

Timmy the cat.Photo:Go Fund Me

Go Fund Me

An Illinois woman is calling her cat, Timmy, a “fighter” after he was shot, left paralyzed from the midsection down, and caught on a surveillance camera dragging himself back home to safety.

Rodriguez’s family discovered Timmy when they returned to their Crystal Lake home the evening of Nov. 9. According to theDaily Herald, Timmy didn’t return when his owner called for him around 6 p.m. that day, so Rodriguez checked the location of his AirTag and spotted him “dragging” himself on the sidewalk.

“Our family is devastated,” she told the outlet. “He was the most adventurous, fun, silly kitty, full of so much love. I’ve never experienced a cat quite like Timmy.”

Timmy the cat.Go Fund Me

“I was honestly so shocked when [doctors were] like, ‘there’s a bullet in his spine,'” Rodriguez said. “I just don’t know how somebody could be so disgusting to an innocent animal… how could you do that?”

The family runs anInstagram page for their furry friend— sharing photos of him hiding in various locations around their house. On the page’s Instagram Story on Thursday, Rodriguez revealed that officers had been “ringing doorbells” and “talking to neighbors” amid a police investigation. On Friday morning, she shared a clip of Timmy in positive spirits as he played with a ribbon.

On Nov. 15, the Crystal Lake Police Department confirmed to PEOPLE that there is an “active investigation” into finding Timmy’s shooter, but there are “no new updates” at this time.

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The family has launched aGoFundMecampaign dedicated to Timmy’s recovery, with Rodriguez writing that her pet was “diagnosed with paralysis as a result of the incident.” The campaign, which has since surpassed its $10,000 goal as of Friday, is raising funds for “ongoing vet bills” and “specialty appointments to see if there is anything further that can be done regarding his diagnosis.”

“It’s insane someone would hurt an innocent animal,” Rodriguez said. “Our whole family is heartbroken.”

source: people.com