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CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #929 Rating: 3.4 out of 5
Rubber bands tied around cat's legs
Saint Paul, MN (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Sep 17, 2002
County: Ramsey
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 2 files available
Defendant/Suspect: Matthew Saari
June 2002 a case was reported to the Humane Society in which a cat was treated that had several rubber bands around its back legs that had worn down to the bone and tendons. There were three rubber bands around the right hock area and one around the left hock area. The bands on the left leg had eroded through the skin and there was exposed tendon and muscle. On the right leg, there was marked swelling of the limb and the animal was in extreme pain when the leg was removed. The right leg also needed to be amputated and the owner chose to euthanize the cat.
Matthew Erik Saari was accused and charged with Animal Torture - gross misdemeanor. Statute 343.21, subd1 and 9(b) - torture, unjustifiably injure, maim or mutilate any animal resulting in substantial bodily harm to any pet or companion animal, whether it belongs to that person or to another person.
The potential penalty being 0-1 year and/or $3,000 fine.
During the investigation Saari admitted that he had put the bands on the cat and that he had done it because the cat was in heat and making a lot of noise. He wanted a break and felt that rubber banding the cat was more humane than putting it in a kennel. The cat was left with the bands for a week before he noticed there was a problem. At this time the cat was brought to a vet and the incident was reported to the Huamen Society.
Saari was convicted of misdemeanor animal torture. He was sentenced to three days in jail, 30 hours of community service and $300 restitution to the Humane Society.
References- Ramsey County District Court complaint number 62-11-7-131516
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