Cat was burned and filmed, court told
A 27-year-old West Coast man has admitted filming while a cat was set alight and killed.
Jason Dale Rowling says he was under the influence of drugs when the cat was killed at a Greymouth beach in May.
He admitted the charged of wilfully ill-treating the cat by burning it, causing it to die, at an appearance before Judge Jane McMeeken in the Christchurch District Court today.
Judge McMeeken remanded the case for sentencing in the Greymouth District Court on September 30. A pre-sentence report will be prepared. Rowling is in custody serving a jail term at present, but is due for release on September 1.
Defence counsel Tom Stevens said Rowling planned to travel to Greymouth after his release to live with his sister.
The incident took place between May 1 and May 15 when Rowling visited associates.
During the visit, an associate discussed killing a cat by burning it, police prosecutor Sergeant Paul Simcox told the court.
He said the group then drove to a beach where a cage containing a cat was taken out of the boot.
Petrol was poured on the cat and it was set on fire. The cage was opened and the cat ran for a time before dying, said Sergeant Simcox.
Rowling said he filmed the burning on his cellphone. He told police he filmed it to avoid taking a more active role.
He later said he was ashamed of his involvement in the cruel and senseless act.
Mr Stevens said it came to light when police were making inquiries about other offending by the associates. Rowling had given a “full and frank” account of what happened.
The associates have both been charged and one is facing other charges.
He said Rowling had found out on the way what was going to happen. He had played a secondary role, and was desperately ashamed of his involvement.
The owner of the cat is not known.
Category: News
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