The man threw the gym bag containing the adult calico cat into the river near the bridge at South Kentucky Avenue about 6 p.m. Saturday, officials say.
A Mason City man and woman saw the man throw the bag into the river, officials say.
The witness was suspicious, "so he checked on the bag and there was a cat inside it — a live cat," said Mason City Police Sgt. Greg Scott.
The cat survived. It was being held on Tuesday in quarantine at Mason City Animal Control.
Shelter staff nicknamed the adult female cat Winnie — short for Winnebago River. Unless claimed, she will soon be available for adoption at the Humane Society of North Iowa.
"She’s in good shape, (but) she’s a little scared," said Sybil Soukup, executive director of the Humane Society of North Iowa.
The case was under investigation on Tuesday afternoon. No arrests had been made.
“It’s just a shock that anyone would dispose of an animal in this method,” Soukup said. “Zipped her up in a duffle bag and threw her into the freezing cold waters of the Winnebago River. That is a certain death that is cruel and painful.”
Mason City Animal Control is tasked with taking in stray animals in Mason City. To report a stray, call Mason City police at 421-3636 and ask for an animal control officer.
The cat's survival was due entirely to the Mason City man and woman who saw the animal thrown into the river, Soukup said.
"Fortunately, curiosity saved the cat when the couple that saw it happen went over and fished it out of the water," she said.
Anyone with details about the case can call Mason City police.
Update: The man has been identified as William Nathan Hill, 69, and he was charged with animal cruelty.
(Globe Gazette - March 24, 2015)
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