MUNCIE, IN — A Muncie man has been accused of abusing and later killing his wife’s cat.
Brandon Michael Doolittle, 37, was arrested on Monday, Sept. 15, on suspicion of cruelty to an animal, a Level 6 felony carrying up to 30 months in prison.
According to an affidavit, Muncie police on Sept. 13 were shown a “Ring video” that was purported to show Doolittle aggressively pulling a cat — named Sebastian — from under a piece of furniture.
Doolittle is then allegedly shown holding the cat with one hand and striking it with his other hand, an officer reported.
“Brandon then holds the cat in both of his hands, but his body obstructs the view of the animal from the camera,” the officer wrote. “A loud snap is heard in the video, and Brandon proceeds to walk the cat to the trash can and place the animal inside the can.”
The officer reported that by the end of the video, the cat appeared to be “lifeless.”
However, Doolittle’s wife told police Sebastian survived the events of Aug. 8, when the video was recorded, and was fatally shot by her husband — using a pellet gun — a few days later “after he’d become upset.”
She also said Doolittle also killed another of her cats, named Omelette, with the pellet gun in May.
“During this incident, (the wife) stated she and Brandon were arguing about the cat and she begged him not to hurt the cat,” the officer wrote.
She also said a third cat, named Cocoa, in June had gone missing from her home. She also said Doolittle at times showed her videos of his abuse of the cats.
According to the affidavit, Doolittle came to Muncie City Hall on Monday at the request of police, was taken into custody, and then indicated he wished to consult with an attorney.
He was released from the Delaware County Jail after posting a $5,000 bond. Delaware County Prosecutor Eric Hoffman’s office will determine whether formal charges will be filed.
Court records reflect no prior convictions for Doolittle.
Douglas Walker is a news reporter at The Star Press. Contact him at 765-213-5851 or at dwalker@muncie.gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Muncie man arrested after being accused of abusing, killing wife’s cat
Reporting by Douglas Walker, Muncie Star Press / Muncie Star Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
