CLEVELAND (WJW) — The FOX 8 I-Team has uncovered video in Cleveland sparking outrage after what happened to a cat.
And, we’ve found this comes with a push for more punishment under a law to protect pets, a law named after legendary FOX 8 weather anchor Dick Goddard.
Video from a security camera shows a cat run across the street near West 105 and Almira. Then, you see a man pick up the cat and start to carry it. But, moments later, the man raises his arm and slams the cat to the ground.
The incident happened last Friday, and the cat died. The I-Team went to see the man in the video.
We reminded him, the video shows him picking up the cat, then spiking it like a football. He responded with “No….” He added, “…to get it off my hand, I went like this (making a shaking motion with his hand).”
He told us, someone had thrown the cat from the window of a passing car, and it was already hurting.
But, now the Animal Protective League is investigating.
We told the man he could face charges. He paused for a few seconds, then he reacted with, “Charges for what? I didn’t do anything.”
Again, this comes to light in the middle of a new push to beef up Goddard’s Law. Ohio lawmakers are now considering tougher penalties for animal abuse. Investigators would be able to go to court and file more serious felony charges. Those charges would carry punishment with a little more prison time.
State Senator Kenny Yuko told us, just weeks ago, lawmakers held a hearing on it.
Sharon Harvey, President of the Cleveland Animal Protective League, said, “I was actually down at the Statehouse and gave proponent testimony.”
She added, “So, this bill would redefine these particular, egregious acts of knowing, intentional cruelty towards an animal. And, would make it a violent crime.”
And there’s no shortage of serious cases. The APL is also investigating shots fired at a pet dog in Gilmore Park near West 130th Street and Puritas.
Police video shows a woman telling officers, “I heard all the shots. I called my boyfriend. I said, ‘Call the cops.’ I heard all the shots.”
The APL is trying to identify a suspect in that case, and investigators need tips.
Back to the cat case, we also asked the man in the video, “Why not call the APL, or animal control, or call a vet?” He didn’t immediately answer that directly.
We aren’t identifying him since he has not been charged. But, the neighborhood turned to the I-Team about this incident demanding justice.
He slammed a cat to the ground and killed it, then claimed he did nothing wrong
Footage from a security camera in Cleveland, Ohio recently revealed an alarming case of animal cruelty. In it, a man can be seen catching a defenseless cat in his arms, raising it above his head, and smashing it down onto the ground, "spiking it like a football." This physical trauma was so horrific that the poor cat died, but this man has yet to answer for the cruelty.
"I didn't do anything." That's exactly what this man said when reporters suggested he may face charges for animal cruelty. If he is allowed to get away with this act, that terrifying sentiment will be affirmed, and he could very well go on to hurt more animals. The Cleveland Animal Protective League must live up to its name and not allow that to happen.
Let's encourage them to use the very clear video evidence they have, conduct a thorough investigation, and charge this man with animal cruelty — add your name to the petition!
The Care2 Petitions Team
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