Cat beaten, punched in the head
Fairfield, BC (CA)Incident Date: Friday, Jan 9, 2009
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Davin James Sahota
A Fairfield man will appear in court later this spring after allegedly punching his girlfriend's cat in the head so hard the animal suffered multiple skull and sinus fractures.
Davin James Sahota is charged under the Criminal Code with one count of animal cruelty.
"It is horrible to think that anyone would willfully inflict this kind of pain and suffering on an innocent animal," said Shawn Eccles, B.C. SPCA chief animal protection officer. "The cat is very lucky to have survived the attack."
The attack on Winnie, a two-year-old black cat, happened Jan. 9. The owner, who has not been identified, alleges Sahota said he hit the cat because Winnie needed to be disciplined for "not listening to him."
The woman rushed Winnie to the veterinarian, who reported the incident to the SPCA, said Const. Lynsay Bailey of Victoria SPCA.
"The owner was absolutely distraught and very co-operative," Bailey said.
She has since broken off all contact with Sahota, she said.
Winnie is now back home after being treated in animal hospital for about three days. The cost to her owner is already more than $1,000, with further costs to come, Bailey said.
"When she was released back to her owner, she was still a bit wobbly, but there is a good prognosis."
Victoria SPCA frequently receives complaints that an animal has been hit, but it's usually difficult to prove because the owner denies it, Bailey said.
"We hope this case will help build case law -- building blocks to the future," she said.
The court appearance is set for April 1. If convicted, Sahota faces a maximum fine of $10,000, up to five years in jail and a prohibition on owning animals. References
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