In 1997, the world’s eyes turned to Bloomington in disbelief and outrage. Olivia, a six-year-old cat in the Elm Heights neighborhood, was doused with an accelerant and set on fire by several young men. She suffered third-degree burns on 40 percent of her body.

After nearly a week in a local clinic, she was transferred to the Indianapolis Emergency Veterinary Clinic, where she underwent three skin graft surgeries. Doctors were optimistic about her recovery, but in October of 1997, Olivia died of a stroke -- two and a half months after the incident.

Although it was a brutal case of animal torture, Olivia’s struggle to survive and her eventual death was not in vain. Two 20-year-old men were found guilty of animal cruelty and sentenced to one year in the Morgan County Jail. As a result of this case, then-Rep. Mark Kruzan (D-Bloomington) introduced legislation that elevated such cases of animal torture from a class A misdemeanor to a class D felony. The bill passed with overwhelming support by the state legislature.

Community support for Olivia also flowed in. Her owners, Lesley Davis and Matt Murphy, received more than $18,000 in donations from those outraged by such a horrific act of cruelty. Olivia’s medical bills soared, reaching $30,000. Support for animals like Olivia continues to be generated today. In honor of Olivia, the Monroe County Humane Association maintains the Olivia Fund, which is dedicated to relieving the financial burden on owners whose animals have been victimized. It also helps finance initiatives meant to curb the crime of animal torture. The crime of animal cruelty is not only inhumane treatment of a living animal, but is said to be a precursor to violence against people.

Help stop animal cruelty and ease the burden on pets and their owners who have been needless victims of such horrendous acts.

Sources: The Herald-Times, Associated Press