Voolavex

Strushie the Cat – Why It Matters July 31, 2017

On April 26, 2017 –  Strushie the cat – a fixture at the Franklin Hotel in South Beach, Miami, Florida was killed intentionally by an employee.  There is not term for this crime. I suspect the reason is because under various circumstance animals can be killed for reasons  for which we arrest humans who kill humans.   It is however a felony. I would say generally if an annoying animal makes their home on your property and you object – calling animal control would seem the best choice.   Strushie and his several alleycat mates had been living in the Florida sunshine and being fed on the premises for years.  Strushie often sat in the lobby and was welcomed by staff and tourists alike.He was well liked and gentle.

The Franklin – touted as one of Miami’s South Beach landmarks of the Art Deco period was recently sold.  The cats went along in the deal.  The people still fed them and smiled at them and liked them.  Just an added perk to this small, boutique hotel with security ; cameras and lights and location in a sweet South Beach spot. I wonder how business is under the new ownership?

I wonder more though, why Strushie was singled out; and he was.  An aggressive employee decided – perhaps on his own – or perhaps at the behest of the new owners that Strushie was annoying.  I have heard conflicting reports.  But on or about April 26, 2017 Strushie was stalked by determined  man armed with small crossbow, who cornered him and shot two arrows through his head. The injuries did not kill Strushie who ran away and was discovered, rushed to vet and died despite valiant efforts to save his life. He was shot with malice aforethought with a very lethal weapon at close-range then hidden in a room  the killer appeared to occupy in the Franklin.  Did I mention his name?  Georgios Lollias –  one of the Franklin’s valued staff.

The crime was covered up with denials from the Franklin’s owner and excuses that the cameras were down that day and no one saw anything.   Strushie, ironically,  got the Kitty Genovese treatment.  But animal lovers are a very devoted lot.  Very devoted.  And one such person started a Care2.org  petition to get justice for Strushie online And she did.  Pressure from the public, animal groups, outraged citizens and foreigners made such a hue and cry (and in these days of social media – hueing and crying has become a daily devotion) that investigators from local law enforcement and the City of Miami  began to seek the monster who committed this crime.  And the U.S.Secret Service entered the fray because it wanted to retrieve the data from the cameras not working that day.  The crime had been captured in full color and in graphic detail.  An arrest followed.  A hearing date is being set in August.  Two months from the killing Strushie the Cat Day in Miami was officially declared in Miami on July 26, 2017.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER? Because we are learning and observing the basest side of the Mr. or Mrs. Average American citizen – what they can do  and even better, it becomes  a guide to  show how them they can do it.  I suspect Strushies occur every single day in this country alone.  And with the Internet, the Fount of all Knowledge (and free to all) you have all the secrets  Including animal cruelty.  Or how to build a bomb or sarin gas and of course how to make cute stuff with bleach bottles. Google it.  Strushie was not hit by a car or disease ridden.  He was part of a community that valued him enough to let him live his life unfettered.  Why does this matter?  Because we are all entitled to live without fear of monsters and hit men and danger and the chance to enrich our own communities.  Yet if the killing of a defenseless and harmless cat is done so easily and then covered up – the next kill or injustice or atrocity just becomes easier and  more justifiable.  This is a lesson.   This is why we should not have to fight to enjoy or cringe for any reason, color, faith, age or fur.  It creates a domino effect.  We are seeing now.  

 We are all Strushies. We matter.  I think this is something we all MUST remember.