Virginia Cat Killer Goes to Jail, Receives Counseling, and Pays a Fine

April 2003

A Virginia Beach, Virginia, resident was the first felony conviction under that state’s newly strengthened animal protection law. A drunken man beat his wife’s cat against a wall, inflicting five broken ribs, a broken sternum and front leg, and head trauma. She died from her injuries soon after. The Virginia Beach SPCA worked with PETA to push for a swift conviction and strong sentence. The judge sentenced the abuser to six months in jail, counseling, and $3,000 in fines.

Read about the link between animal and human abuse.