 Kitten decapitated, head sent in wrapped box
Mount Washington, PA (US)Date: Jan 28, 2007
County: Allegheny
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Benjamin Gregory
Upcoming Court Dates: May 22, 2007: felony arraignment
Case Updates: 3 update(s) available |
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The pretty wrapping on the package left on the doorstep of a Mount Washington woman's home looked harmless enough.
It was covered with pink tissue paper and red bows.
But she immediately knew it was from her ex-boyfriend, and what she found inside was disturbing -- the severed head of a kitten. A note accompanying the package said, "I love you, Your Ben."
On Feb 2, Pittsburgh police arrested Benjamin Gregory, 30, of Aliquippa, and charged him with stalking and cruelty to animals.
The black kitten was 3 to 4 months old.
"We have been unable to determine where the kitten came from. It definitely did not belong to the victim. She doesn't have pets of her own, though she loves animals and volunteers at a Pittsburgh shelter," said Katie Waters, a humane officer with Animal Friends in Ohio Township. "We don't think the kitten belonged" to the suspect.
The victim, who was not identified, called police on Jan 28.
Mr. Benjamin was taken to the Allegheny County Jail. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb 8 morning in Pittsburgh Municipal Court.
The victim told police that Mr. Gregory had recently been released from jail and is on probation. The nature of those charges could not be determined yesterday.
"This has been an extremely difficult case to work on," Ms. Waters said. Case Updates| Benjamin Gregory, facing animal cruelty and stalking charges for sending his ex-girlfriend the severed head of a cat, appeared in court on March 1, 2007. The case was transferred from Pittsburgh Municipal Court to the higher Court of Common Pleas, where Gregory will be arrainged on felony charges May 22, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. The Court of Common Pleas is located in the 5th Judicial Courthouse at 436 Grant St. in Pittsburgh. | Source: Case # CR1507-07
Update posted on Mar 4, 2007 - 3:36PM |
| Benjamin Gregory will appear next in court on March 1, 2007 at 1:00 p.m. at the Pittsburgh Municpal Courthouse, located at 660 First Avenue in Pittsburgh. He is facing charges of stalking and animal cruelty for allegedly delivering the severed head of a kitten to his prior girlfriend. | Source: Case # CR1507-07
Update posted on Feb 9, 2007 - 9:09PM |
The woman told police her former boyfriend, who recently got out of jail, had previously left photos of the couple with her face destroyed.
Gregory was arrested Friday by Pittsburgh police Officer Christine Luffey and charged with stalking and cruelty to animals. He was arraigned and lodged in the Allegheny County Jail to await a preliminary hearing scheduled Thursday. | Source: Pittsburgh Tribune - Feb 3, 2007
Update posted on Feb 3, 2007 - 1:02PM |
References« PA State Animal Cruelty Map
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