Cat beaten to death
New York, NY (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Nov 30, 2007
County: New York

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Sarah Favorite

A Siamese cat named 'Yoda' was beaten to death inside a doorman building on the Upper East Side, the Manhattan District Attorney's office said Wednesday. The cat was allegedly bludgeoned to death by a woman who became irate at her boyfriend's pet inside his apartment on 86th street.

Sarah Favorite was arrested and charged with aggravated animal cruelty, investigators said. An ASPCA official said when asked why she had attacked the animal, Favorite allegedly said she did not like cats in general, was angry at "Yoda" and had wanted him euthanized.

The woman's boyfriend came home to find the cat severely wounded in a pool of blood. Officials said a veterinarian who treated "Yoda" reported the cat had been throttled and slammed to the floor suffering injuries from "severe blunt trauma."

The devastated boyfriend, Ian Lifshutz, took Yoda to a local animal hospital, but the cat had to be euthanized because his body suffered too much trauma, according to ASPCA Assistant Director Joseph Pentangelo.

"I strongly feel that the fractures were the result of severe trauma that could not have been sustained by a short jump or fall," said Animal Medical Center Dr. Rachel Currao in a written report to prosecutors. Manhattan D.A. spokeswoman Barbara Thompson and ASPCA officials added Favorite beat the cat over a two day period and that the cat had also suffered three broken legs.

Favorite was arrested and taken to the 19th Precinct for processing, officials said. She was later arraigned in Manhattan criminal court. A call to Favorite for comment was not returned. Officials said she works as an AIDS counselor on the lower East Side.

An ASPCA spokesman said this is the 92nd arrest this year by ASPCA peace officers in connection with the injuring or killing of an animal. Spokesman Joseph Pentangelo said: "Pets are very often sequestered in a home and as such can be the target of violence not often seen. It's important animal abuse be reported," he said.

Favorite is due back in court in April.

References

• - Dec 23, 2007

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