A man is facing charges after he allegedly killed a cat by slamming it against a sidewalk in Truro, N.S.
Around 3 a.m. Saturday, police received a call from a witness who said she saw a man lure a cat and then attack it.
Police appealed to the public via social media after they were unable to locate the suspect.
“We just wanted people in the area, if they did see a suspicious vehicle matching that description, to let us know and also just to be cognizant of where, make awareness around where their pet may be,” says Truro Police Chief David MacNeil.
A 29-year-old man was arrested later that day.
“A lady in the area called and said a car matching that same description was in the area,” says MacNeil. “She happened to be the witness to the original complaint and she recognized the vehicle and the accused person from the incident.”
Police are consulting with the SPCA about charges.
“Obviously, we’re very shocked and disappointed by this,” says MacNeil. “It’s a very serious and disturbing crime.”
Pet owners and Truro residents are expressing shock and outrage over the alleged incident. Richard Layton says he was used to seeing the grey and white cat in his neighbourhood.
“It would always come up to the step and just hang out in the yard. It didn’t bother us at all,” says Layton. “I’m a little disgusted about it. The fact that somebody could mutilate an innocent animal that they have no idea what it’s doing there, why it’s there, the fact that it’s just an innocent creature that’s probably looking for food or at least a place to sleep.”
“To do something like that to an animal, you know, it’s egregious,” says pet owner Elizabeth Wallace.
The suspect is expected to appear in court in August.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Priya Sam
