SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Police and animal welfare officials say an injured kitten found on a Springfield street was set on fire.

The Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is offering a $1,500 reward for information leading to whoever is responsible.

MSPCA spokeswoman Candy Lash said the 2-month-old kitten was found Monday afternoon by a passerby on Union Street.

She said the malnourished kitten had burns to its ears and fur, its whiskers were singed off, and it had a laceration on its tongue. Investigators think the kitten was burned shortly before it was found because its fur still smelled of smoke.

The kitten, named Nicholas, is expected to survive and will be put up for adoption when well.

For those interested in contributing to help cover the care of Nicholas and other animals like him through the MSPCA-WNE’s General Fund, donations are being accepted online at www.mspca.org/Nicholas or can be mailed to:

Nicholas
c/o MSPCA-WNE General Fund
171 Union Street
Springfield, MA 01105