 Five kittens placed in garbage bag and crushed
Battle Creek, MI (US)Incident Date: Monday, Jun 10, 2002
County: Calhoun
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted
Abuser/Suspect: Daniel Tyjewski
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Convicted kitten killer Daniel Tyjewski was sentenced to probation Friday despite objections from the prosecution that his crimes called for jail time.
The Battle Creek man, who had no comment to the judge or after the 10-minute hearing, pleaded guilty in July to five counts of killing or torturing animals. While he admitted to placing five kittens inside a garbage can June 10, 2002, to get rid of them, Calhoun County assistant prosecutor Kate Miller said Tyjewski tried to pin part of the blame for crushing the animals on the Waste Management workers.
"There is absolutely not an excuse for what was done there," Calhoun County Circuit Judge James Kingsley said. "I view your trying to share blame with other people something I see so often in other defendants. ... But you did it Mr. Tyjewski."
Kingsley, 53, gave Tyjewski credit for the 243 days he already has served in this case and ordered three years probation. The defendant also is ordered to not have any animals in his possession during that time.
Mark Webb, Tyjewski's defense attorney, said the defendant has had a history of mental illness since 1969 when he was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia. In addition to the prescribed drugs he has taken, such as lithium, he has abused many other substances like alcohol, methamphetamine, LSD, opiates, heroin and morphine, Webb said.
"He's one of those persons with mental illness who struggles with it and falls through the cracks from time to time because of it," Webb said.
In November, Tyjewski was diagnosed as psychotic and unable to communicate with his attorney.
He was ruled competent to stand trial in March but has been undergoing treatment at the Kalamazoo Regional Psychiatric Hospital.
This case generated interest from animal rights advocates around the country.
Jamie McAloon, director of the Humane Society-Calhoun County, and several local advocates attended Friday's hearing. McAloon said it is a mistake to let Tyjewski go free.
"I don't think you can monitor a person like that," she said. "He absolutely has no remorse. ... Now, he's back on the road again, so to speak." Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Back to Top References« MI State Animal Cruelty Map
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