A New York man faces nearly a year in prison for stabbing a cat, throwing it from his balcony, and stomping it to death.
Just before the case was set to go to trial, Giovanni Olivo pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and admitted to trying to intimidate a witness who was set to testify against him, Queens District Attorney Richard Brown said.
He is expected to be sentenced on 12 September to 10 months in prison.
The incident occurred on 30 September 2016 in his Far Rockaway neighbourhood, in the presence of children and their parents, according to a witness. Olivo stabbed the cat first, then threw it off of the balcony, before rushing down to the sidewalk to stomp on the animal to make sure it had died.
He reportedly yelled: "you’re dead to this world!" to the adult, female cat.
Judge John Latella asked Olivo "Did you also stomp the cat?” and the 31-year-old responded in the affirmative.
Mr Brown said: “This was a cruel and vile act of brutality. The defendant is going to jail as punishment for the vicious killing of a cat and for trying to sway a witness to lie in court".
If the case had gone to trial, Olivo could have faced at least two years in prison.
Part of his plea agreement bars him from owning any pets for at least five years and requires him to register with the city as an animal abuser, which prevents any shelters, rescues, or stores from allowing an animal into his care.
These kinds of acts of aggression toward animals cannot – and will not – be tolerated," Mr Brown said.
