Tim McDonald, 36, of 1002 11-1/2th Street, Colbert County told police he killed a neighbor's cat to save the animal from being mauled by a dog.
He was charged on Tuesday morning with one count of cruelty to animals. The black and white cat was beaten with a 2x4 piece of wood.
Police Sergeant Greg Ray said McDonald and a group of people were in the backyard of a house at 1006 West 12th Ave about 1:00 a.m. The owner of the cat, Theresa Brown, called police after witnessing "someone at the house was trying to tease a dog with the cat."
McDonald told an investigator he bludgeoned the cat to death with a piece of wood rather than trying to incite a dog with the cat. Sergeant Ray said it appears alcohol was a contributing factor.
McDonald declined comment on Tuesday. His case will be reviewed by an upcoming grand jury. If he is convicted, he could face a maximum sentence of 10 years and a fine of up to $5,000 under the Pet Protection Act signed into law by Governor Don Siegelman in 2000.
The law is also known as the Gucci Bill, the law makes it a felony crime if a person tortures a dog or cat with the intent to inflict pain, serious injury or death. The law was named for Gucci, a south Alabama dog that was abused, doused with gasoline and set on fire. Case UpdatesThanks to a reward posted by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), one cat killer won't get away with his horrible crime.
Timothy Lee McDonald, a resident of Alabama, was captured in Iowa after the police received information from an anonymous tipster who had seen the announcement of the $2,000 reward in a newspaper. McDonald had been indicted in August on felony animal cruelty charges for beating a cat to death. Under the felony law, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $5,000. The HSUS is urging Alabama prosecutors to press for the maximum penalty, especially because there is increasing evidence that people who commit violent crimes against animals move on to commit violent crimes against humans.
"We are thankful to the person who came forward with information that led to McDonald's arrest," says Ann Chynoweth, the HSUS's counsel for Investigative Services. "It is because of the public's help that many criminals are brought to justice." The HSUS is also sending a letter of thanks to the officials who worked so hard in bringing McDonald to justice. Thanks to a reward posted by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), one cat killer won't get away with his horrible crime.
Timothy Lee McDonald, a resident of Alabama, was captured in Iowa after the police received information from an anonymous tipster who had seen the announcement of the $2,000 reward in a newspaper. McDonald had been indicted in August on felony animal cruelty charges for beating a cat to death. Under the felony law, he faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $5,000. The HSUS is urging Alabama prosecutors to press for the maximum penalty, especially because there is increasing evidence that people who commit violent crimes against animals move on to commit violent crimes against humans.
"We are thankful to the person who came forward with information that led to McDonald's arrest," says Ann Chynoweth, the HSUS's counsel for Investigative Services. "It is because of the public's help that many criminals are brought to justice." The HSUS is also sending a letter of thanks to the officials who worked so hard in bringing McDonald to justice. | Source: Cats Play - Dec 16, 2002
Update posted on Feb 8, 2007 - 12:56AM |
The HSUS is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the capture of Timothy Lee McDonald, a Sheffield, Alabama resident who has been indicted on felony animal cruelty charges for bludgeoning a cat to death with a piece of wood in May. There is a warrant out for his arrest. Under the felony law, McDonald faces a prison term of up to 10 years and a maximum fine of $5,000.
If McDonald is captured, this will be Alabama�s first case of animal cruelty tried under the felony statute that went into effect in 2000. The HSUS and animal protection advocates from across the state helped to pass the felony animal cruelty law in Alabama. Previously known as the Gucci bill, the law was inspired by a chow-mix dog named Gucci who was hanged from a tree and set on fire by teenagers.
Since the felony law went into effect more than two years ago, Alabama has had a rash of violent animal cruelty cases where dogs and cats had been tortured to death. Shortly after the law was passed, a Winston County man was known to have set a puppy on fire before shooting him to death. In January of this year, a man shot and killed his neighbor�s dog and wounded another. Recently, two Selma teenagers were arrested for dousing a neighbor�s dog with lighter fluid and setting him on fire. However, McDonald is reportedly the first person to be indicted under the felony law.
�We are encouraged that prosecutors in this case are seeking a felony conviction for this crime,� said Ann Chynoweth, HSUS Counsel for Investigative Services. �A crime of this nature�where this defenseless animal suffered a torturous death�deserves the strongest penalty that the law will allow. We encourage anyone with information about Mr. McDonald�s whereabouts to contact authorities as soon as possible.�
The Sheffield Police Department is handling the case. Anyone with information on McDonald�s whereabouts is asked to call 256-383-1771. Information will be kept confidential. | Source: HSUS Press Release - Nov 22, 2002
Update posted on Feb 8, 2007 - 12:54AM |
Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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