Justice for Zéphir brutally tortured, found dying

Hello everyone,

Once again, a huge thank you for your words, your signatures, your solidarity, and your unwavering commitment that give us the strength to fight.

It has already been a month since Zéphyr left us for the cat paradise. Your mobilization is unprecedented, as more than 58,000 of you have already signed our petition. This shows how much the animal cause is finally awakening consciences. This movement must grow, and the animal cause must become a priority.

Our immense pain does not weaken, but our determination for justice to be served is stronger than ever despite the obstacles that line this challenging path.

Thanks to the mobilization of each of you, to the press (1), and to the support of eight animal defense and protection associations (2), who will join as civil parties if we go to the hearing, we are pleased to announce that the public prosecutor, who has taken up our case, is determined to find Zéphyr's torturers before they commit further crimes. Samples have therefore been taken to search for DNA traces.

We commend the strengthened commitment of the gendarmes investigating our case within the gendarmerie of Fayence.

Unfortunately, the autopsy revealed that the suffering endured by our little Zéphyr is beyond anything we could have imagined. We will not go into details so as not to shock the more sensitive among you, as reading the report was an extremely painful ordeal for us. 

The forensic veterinarian noted:

• Very significant external and internal lesions, numerous and distributed throughout the body (lungs, bladder, skin, tail, rectum, perineum) suggesting multiple and repeated shocks and traumas, blows, or very strong crushing/strangling of the body (violent restraint) and a very significant injury to the anal and genital region.

• The almost complete tearing of the tail at the level of the 2nd and 3rd vertebrae, with total rupture of the ligaments, muscles, and tendons that attach it to the pelvis. The tail was torn off by an extremely violent force, the skin was detached, and the rectum was strongly stretched. The force applied could come either from the weight of the body held only by the tail and shaken, or, more likely, from a violent rotational movement, as if the cat were being swung by the tail (analogy with hammer throwing).

• The anus abnormally dilated, persistently, with small erosions (superficial wounds) on the edges and presents an appearance compatible with penetration by a rigid object, with a non-sharp and rounded tip.

The forensic veterinarian concluded that to carry out such carnage, at least two torturers were required. They knew that their violence condemned Zéphyr to certain death, yet they ensured that he endured the worst possible suffering.

In the face of the unspeakable, we must not relent: we count on all of you to continue to support us by sharing the petition as much as you can so that no animal ever suffers such torment again.

We will keep you regularly informed of the progress of the investigation. The perpetrators of these barbaric acts must be identified, apprehended, brought to justice, and heavily punished.

Thank you very sincerely,

Annick & Gérard

(1) BFM Nice Côte d’Azur and VAR MATIN

(2) Foundation Assistance aux Animaux
      Foundation Brigitte Bardot
      30 Millions d’Amis
      Association Stéphane Lamart
      SPA
      Action Protection Animale
      ARPAF
      Au Petit Bonheur de Nos Oubliés