Alley Cat Allies Sues Lincolnton Over Cat Shooting

Alley Cat Allies filed a lawsuit against the City of Lincolnton and Mayor Mike McCombs after Mayor McCombs’ wife, Lizzy Long, shot and killed a cat named Piper with a shotgun. The incident, captured on police body-camera footage, shows Piper not dying instantly and suffering extreme distress before dying.

In April 2026, Mayor McCombs ordered Officer Jason Shelton to use his department-issued firearm to kill Piper. Shelton refused, citing liability, and was then told to give the gun to the cat’s owner. When Officer Shelton was on the scene, Mayor McCombs and Long arrived with a shotgun. Long shot Piper, who was hiding behind a garage. No one intervened.

Alley Cat Allies’ lawsuit seeks to stop the city from delegating animal-control authority to private individuals who are not legally authorized under Georgia law. To date, no criminal charges have been filed against Long or Mayor McCombs, and the city has taken no disciplinary action.

Key takeaways

• Alley Cat Allies sued Lincolnton for permitting a private citizen to shoot a cat.
• The shooting was recorded on body-camera footage and caused Piper extreme distress.
• Officer Shelton refused to use his firearm and was later told to hand it to a civilian.
• No criminal charges or city disciplinary actions have occurred yet.
• The lawsuit aims to prevent future illegal delegation of animal-control authority.

Ready to bring a cat or kitten home? Browse adoptable cats and kittens on Petfinnly.

Originally reported by Alley Cat Allies. Read the full article.

Cover photo by 大 董 via Pexels.