The reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction in a Redwood Shores cat drowning has reached $8,400, Scott Delucchi, spokesman for the Peninsula Humane Society, announced Saturday (Nov. 5).

Here is the text of the announcement from the Peninsula Humane Society/Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PHS/SPCA):

On Thursday, a Redwood City Sewer District employee brought a deceased cat to PHS/SPCA. The cat, an older, black and white male with declawed front paws and no identification, was removed from two feet of water in a Redwood Shores lagoon directly behind 1 Lagoon Drive and 3 Lagoon Drive with a five-pound dumbbell attached to his neck.

All signs indicate this was an owned cat and that the person responsible intended to inflict suffering.

Late Thursday, PHS/SPCA announced a $1,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Since that time, other individuals and two businesses have added to the reward. The owner of the Swingin' Door in San Mateo pledged $1,000 while Pet Food Express, a retailer, contributed $2,750.

PHS/SPCA is actively pursuing all leads and has received a handful since Thursday.

"Somebody knows something that will help us," said PHS/SPCA spokesperson. "And, $8,400 is a lot of money. Our chances of finding the person responsible have only increased the past few days with the media attention and the generous donations to our reward fund.

On Friday, a PHS/SPCA veterinarian conducted a necropsy and initial findings indicate what staff have assumed: the cat was alive when dumped in the lagoon with the five-lb weight attached to his neck.

"We continue to believe this was an owned cat and that someone intentionally killed him in a horrific, unimaginable way," said PHS/SPCA spokesperson Scott Delucchi. "We need the public's help in order to find the owner and the person responsible."

Local residents with any information should call 650/340-7022, ext. 384. Those who would like to support PHS/SPCA's anti-cruelty work or contribute to the reward should call 650/340-7022, ext. 327.

Shelter staff reviewed all recent Lost Cat reports filed with PHS/SPCA and are scouring lost pet reports on Craigslist to see if one matches this cat's description. Staff have made a few calls and left messages, but have not been able to find the cat's owner.

Are you receiving Express, our free daily e-mail edition? See a sample and sign-up for Express.