The Police have in custody a 22-year-old Chicago man who microwaved cats has been charged with six counts of animal cruelty
A 22-year-old Chicago man has been charged with six counts of animal cruelty after police say he tortured and killed six kittens.
Man who Microwaved cats
Thomas Martel, of Wicker Park, was arrested on Tuesday after a woman filed a complaint with the Animal and Control Commission.
The woman told police that she had seen Martel drowning and squeezing kittens to death in his apartment.
When police searched Martel’s apartment, they found the bodies of six kittens in a plastic bag in the freezer. They also found a video of Martel torturing and killing the kittens.
Martel is being held in the Cook County Jail on a $50,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
This is not the first time that Martel has been accused of animal cruelty. In 2019, he was charged with animal neglect after police found a dead cat in his apartment.
He was also charged with animal cruelty in 2020 after police found a dog with a broken leg in his apartment.
Martel is facing up to five years in prison for each count of animal cruelty.
The case has sparked outrage in Chicago, and animal advocates are calling for Martel to be held accountable for his actions.
“This is a horrific case of animal cruelty,” said Karen Sorace, executive director of the Chicago Animal Care and Control Commission. “We are working with the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office to ensure that this man is held accountable for his actions.”
If you suspect that an animal is being abused, you can report it to the Chicago Animal Care and Control Commission at 312-746-CACL (2225). You can also call the Illinois Department of Agriculture’s Animal Cruelty Hotline at 1-888-424-5381.
Reporting animal cruelty
When reporting animal cruelty, it is important to provide as much information as possible. This includes the following:
- The type of animal that is being abused
- The location of the animal
- The specific acts of abuse that you have witnessed
- Any other relevant information, such as the names of the people involved or the time of day that the abuse occurred
It is also important to be aware of the laws in your state regarding animal cruelty.
In Illinois, animal cruelty is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
If you are reporting animal cruelty, you can remain anonymous. However, if you choose to provide your name, you may be called as a witness in court.
Reporting animal cruelty is the first step in protecting animals from abuse. By reporting suspected cases of animal cruelty, you can help to ensure that animals are safe and that those who abuse them are brought to justice.
Here are some additional tips for reporting animal cruelty:
- Be as detailed as possible when describing the abuse that you have witnessed.
- If you have any photos or videos of the abuse, provide them to the authorities.
- If you know the name of the person who is abusing the animal, provide that information as well.
- If you are not comfortable reporting the abuse yourself, you can ask a friend or family member to do it for you.
Reporting animal cruelty is not always easy, but it is the right thing to do. By speaking up, you can help to save an animal’s life and prevent future acts of abuse.
