This dead cat thing is the biggest scandal Erik can come up with? Of course no one wants animals to be abused (IF the cat was actually abused in this case), but a dead cat with liberal painted on it? Good grief.
If Erik wants scandal, all he need do is look to Obama. He's riddled with them.
Nothing about suspected cause of death — cat might have croaked of its own accord or become road kill. Then some wise guy (maybe even another Rat) paints letters on it.