ST. LOUIS (AP) -- The Humane Society of Missouri is offering a $2,500 reward in the search for the person who severely abused a cat in St. Louis.

The badly injured female cat was found Oct. 18 on the city's north side. Investigators determined she had been bound, beaten several times with a metal object and set on fire. Her lungs were badly damaged and her flesh severely burned. The cat was euthanized.

Police and the Humane Society believe the abuse happened about midnight on Oct. 17, and believe there were numerous witnesses.

Anyone with information can contact the Humane Society's Animal Abuse Hotline at 314-647-4400.

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