Kittens drowned Massillon, OH (US) Incident Date: Thursday, May 4, 2006 County: Stark Local Map: available Disposition: Alleged Alleged: Pete Street

Case ID: 8371 Classification: Drowning Animal: cat View more cases in OH (US) Login to Watch this Case

A grandfather allegedly disposed of day-old kittens. But the man claims he didn't know he had any other options. "I said a couple of cats is alright, but to have a bunch of them is a nuisance," said Pete Street. Street says his daughter-in-law hid eight newborn kittens in his home. "I go up there and these little kittens are in a box with a bed," he explained. "I said 'I'm not having that. I'm getting rid of them.'"

What happened next, many find heartbreaking. Street says, "I brought the box down filled the barrel full of water - five minutes, they're gone." He drowned them and buried them in his yard.

"Back in the older days, that's all you do if you had some animal you wanted to get rid of," he said. Street says he filled this trashcan with water and put the kittens inside because he didn't realize he had another option. "I didn't know the dog warden would take them ... that's where I made the mistake," Street said.

When his daughter-in-law came home, she called the sheriff and Street was charged with animal cruelty. The Stark County shelter hopes this case reminds everyone that there's always another option. "We'll do what we can to take them, rather that than have them go through what they went through," said Cathy Shafer at the Stark County Humane Society.

As for Street, he says he doesn't hate cats; but with four already. He just couldn't take any more, but he now realizes the old way not be the best way. Street plead "not-guilty" to the cruelty charge and will appear in court in May 2006. If convicted, he faces a $750 fine and 30 days in jail.

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References

	WKYC - May 5, 2006
	WKYC - May 25, 2006

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