Cat beaten to death with hammer
St Petersburg, FL (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Dec 26, 2007
County: Pinellas

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Douglas Michaud

A 59-year-old St. Petersburg man was arrested Wednesday on charges he beat a cat to death by striking it on the head with a hammer five to seven times.

Douglas Michaud of 6824 16th St. N. was charged with one count of animal cruelty. The certified nursing assistant was taken to Pinellas County Jail, and bail was set at $10,000.

According to an arrest affidavit, witnesses say the cat appeared to be trying to get away as Michaud beat it with the hammer and that it appeared to be in agony. Michaud said it looked like the cat had been struck by a car and he wanted to put it out of its misery, the affidavit states.

According to the St. Petersburg Times, a witness told investigators that as Douglas Michaud struck the wounded animal, he said "I'm tired of hearing it squeal all morning."

Investigators say Michaud works for Hospice. State law dictates that law enforcement and contracted company are the only individuals who are allowed to put animals down.

References

• Tampa Bay Online - Dec 27, 2007
• WWSB - Dec 27, 2007
• Fox 13 - Dec 27, 2007

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