Military Veteran and Animal Rescuer Allegedly Beaten To Death By 14-Year-Old

“Al was amazing, anything you needed he would do. He was known for building shelters for all the feral stray cats in the city,” Angelo Ruffo told ABC6. “He was a good man.”

Ruffo and many others have been stunned by the death of military veteran Albert Chernoff, 59, nicknamed “Alley Cat.” Chernoff’s body was discovered tied to a bed and brutally beaten at his own home. According to Newsweek, 14-year-old Ajahnae Smaugh has been accused of the murder, having allegedly taken a nail-studded 2×4 to Chernoff’s head.

“It’s extremely troubling, it was a brutal murder and to think that there was anybody doing this but a child, but then you have to look to why did this happen and that’s what the investigators are going to try to find out,” said Acting Philadelphia Police Commissioner Christine Coulter.

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Smaugh was charged with tampering with evidence, obstruction of justice and possession of an instrument of crime, along with homicide.

Source: Facebook/Al Chernoff “Alley Cat”
Al Chernoff was known as “Alley Cat.”


Security footage taken from inside Chernoff’s home shows an individual in a black jacket, long-sleeve pink top, red sweatpants and white shoes washing their hands in the victim’s kitchen sink before looking in the refrigerator and walking away.

Coulter said Smaugh’s family members identified her as the individual in the video, and turned her over to police.

Source: Facebook/Al Chernoff “Alley Cat”
Several animals were taken from Chernoff’s home after his death.


According to NBC10, Chernoff worked at Philadelphia International Airport, but spent his personal time by helping animals in need.

After Chernoff’s death, Animal Care & Control Team of Philadelphia (ACCT Philly) removed cats, turtles and frogs from his home.

Source: Facebook/Al Chernoff “Alley Cat”
Chernoff was well known for taking good care of animals.


“Words escape me at times like this. The animal rescue community, and especially the cat community has lost an amazing man,” ACCT Philly posted to Facebook.



from The Animal Rescue Site Blog https://ift.tt/2pgdqia

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