Youngstown teen receives PETA award for helping injured kitten

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

A Youngstown teenager has received a Compassionate Action Award from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals for intervening to help an injured kitten.

Antwuan Reese, 18, said he was walking near Parkview Avenue on Memorial Day when he encountered the animal. Though he is allergic to cats, Reese reportedly wrapped the kitten in his shirt and sought help.

The kitten’s face was crawling with maggots, Reese said.

“He couldn’t even see,” he recalled.

Due the severity of its injuries, the kitten was euthanized, PETA reports.

“Thanks to Antwuan’s huge heart, this tiny kitten was spared the agony of slowly dying alone on the side of the road,” PETA Vice President Colleen O’Brien stated in a news release.

Reese will receive a framed certificate and a box of vegan cookies from PETA.

If faced with a similar situation in the future, Reese said his actions would be the same.

“If you see any animal – or anybody – in trouble, you should do something,” Reese said.