Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Cat beaten to death with shovel

Cat beaten to death with shovel
Columbia, SC (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Feb 11, 1999
County: Richland
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted

Abuser/Suspect: Malcom Gordon, DDS

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Case ID: 4223

Classification: Beating

Animal: cat

View more cases in SC (US)

Animal was offleash or loose

Abuse was retaliation against animal's bad behavior

Dr Malcolm Gordon, a Columbia dentist, has been charged with animal cruelty for killing his neighbor's 20-year old cat with a shovel.

The reason Dr Gordon gave for killing the cat was he felt threatened by a strange-acting cat and thought it might be rabid. Gordon said the cat "appeared mangy and was hissing and growling."

The cat's owner, lawyer Weston Adams Sr, called the death of his cat "unprovoked murder. We're going to prosecute this case to the fullest extent and show what it was."

Gordon was in his front yard awaiting the arrival of his 6-year old daughter coming home from school. The calico cat, Nosey, walked into Gordon's front yard and he tried to shoo the cat away. When that didn't work, he got a shovel and tried to nudge it away. The cat continued hissing and growing and looked threatening. Gordon then killed the cat with the shovel.

Attorney Jim Anders said, "He felt he or his daughter might be in danger, and he did what he had to to protect his family and his property."

"This man is a past president of the Sierra Club and a contributor to humane causes. He loves animals and occasionally takes care of his neighbor's cats."

"Dr Gordon has written a letter of apology to the Adams family and has offered to replace the cat. This guy wouldn't hurt a flea."

X-rays showed Nosey suffered broken bones and other injuries. The cat weighed nine pounds.

Assistant solicitor Neal Lourie said, Gordon was charged under a state animal cruelty law that provides up to a two-year sentence and a $5,000 fine.

Gordon was released on a $2,500 personal recognizance bond. If a trial takes place, it will probably be months away.

Case Updates

Dr Malcolm Gordon, 59, a Columbia dentist was sentenced to one year's probation and fined $400. Gordon did not admit he was guilty of the misdemeanor charge. He entered a plea similar to a no-contest plea.

Judge Marc Westbrook suspended the 60-day jail sentence when he gave Gordon probation. The probation will be cancelled if Gordon successfully completes counseling approved by his probation.

Gorden said at the hearing he killed the female calico cat, named Nosey, on Feb 10, 1999 after it threatened him outside his Catawba St home. He said the 21-year old, 9 pound cat was "growling, coming at me, showing its teeth." He believed the cat to be rabid. "Yes, I meant to kill the cat. I wasn't going to let it bite me. It was not anger (on my part). It was just pure, raw fear."

Nosey's owner, Weston Adams, said the cat was "mild mannered" and the killing was cruel and intentional. Adams said, Gordon's punishment was "not the sentence I would have given him, I'm satisfied he was convicted and given a sentence."

Dan Johnson, special city prosecutor said Nosey's legs were broken "as it was trying to drag itself away" during the attack. The cat's back was broken in several places and skull was crushed.

Gordon's case was partially responsible for the Legislature toughening the state's animal cruelty law. Last year it made torturing or killing fo animals a felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison.

Source: The State, Columbia SC - June 30, 2001
Update posted on May 31, 2005 - 6:21PM

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The State, Columbia SC - Feb 17, 1999

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Cat beaten to death with shovelColumbia, SC (US)

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Cat beaten to death with shovel
Columbia, SC (US)