Cat Set On Fire Leaves Hospital For New Home With Philadelphia Firefighter
By Todd Quinones
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- After a brush with death, a friendly cat has a new owner, and a new lease on life.
READ MORE: Cat Set On Fire In Olney Adopted By Philadelphia Firefighter
"Campbell" the cat was the victim of animal cruelty, but now he's been adopted -- by a Philadelphia firefighter.
He's a towering figure in the hearts of those who saved his life. Campbell the cat had burns to more than 60 percent of his body after two suspects seen on surveillance video allegedly set him on fire using some kind of accelerant (See Related Story).
"He just wants to be loved and that's it. It's pretty much what any animal wants," Lt. Stephen Paslawski said.
Through his job, Philadelphia firefighter Lt. Stephen Paslawski has seen what fire can do to animals, which is one reason why he's adopting him.
Tips and surveillance video have led to the arrest of 18-year-old Jose Sanchez and 21-year-old Tyrique Hall. Both are being charged with nearly burning Campbell to death in Olney last month.
"These individuals are possibly facing right now ten years of jail time along with cruelty to animals and there's also charges of conspiracy and using the accelerant on the animal," George Bengal of the Pennsylvania SPCA said.
Because his burns were so severe, Campbell had to be treated at Penn Vet's Ryan Hospital where he underwent two surgeries.
"He's very easy to work with and to treat. So I have every hope that he's going to do very, very well," Chloe Wormser of Penn Vet's Ryan Hospital said.
Lt. Paslawski heard about what happened to Campbell and when one of his own two cats died, he decided to adopt the wounded animal and bring him home Thursday night.
