The New York City Police Department told Newsweek that it arrested a man who social media users claimed killed a cat and was planning to make another animal “sacrifice” on Halloween. 

David Mosley, 26, was arrested on Thursday and charged with two counts of criminal mischief, one count of aggravated cruelty to animals, one count of torturing/injuring/not feeding an animal and one count of disposal of dead animals. 

Mosley was arrested at 9:15 a.m. in the Bronx “pursuant to an ongoing investigation,” the NYPD’s Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information (DCPI) told Newsweek.

Newsweek reached out to Mosley via his YouTube channel for comment.

Why It Matters 

Social media users said that Mosley posted a photo of a cat that had been killed on his Instagram account, which they say has since been deleted. 

The NYPD’s DCPI previously told Newsweek that the Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad was “looking into the social media post.” 

The Neighborhood Vet, a veterinarian in Brooklyn, warned local animal rescues not to allow Mosley to adopt pets. 

“I normally would not post this as it is not directly veterinary related. But in the current state of the world where rescues are trying so hard to adopt out and clear shelters…sometimes pets get into the wrong hands,” the veterinarian wrote on Instagram, adding that the cat in the photo had been “viciously killed and tortured.”

Mosley has denied killing the cat, saying on YouTube that he found it outside, put makeup on it and took a picture. He said he also splattered fake blood on the wall and floor. 

“They fell for it, made me famous,” he said. 

What To Know 

The image sparked outrage among users on Instagram, Facebook, and the popular community website Nextdoor. Mosley said Instagram took his account down but offered it back to him, which he says he refused.  

While the post sparked intense backlash, Mosley denied harming the cat and claimed that the post was fake, stating that he was a “famous movie director.”  

“I just took, just a prop I found on the street and made a f****** horror classic, apparently. I made a classic f****** picture that got me taken off Instagram,” he said. 

A Facebook user shared a screenshot that appeared to be from Mosley’s Instagram with a caption that states in part, “LIVE SACRIFICE 10-31 be there or be square.” 

Zion’s Mission Animal Rescue in Queens also posted about Mosley on Facebook, writing, “This despicable person, named David Mosley, who lives in The Bronx, posted pictures of himself killing a cat on his personal instagram page. He claims himself that he will sacrifice another cat on Halloween night!”

“We are absolutely horrified about this,” the rescue added.

What People Are Saying 

The Neighborhood Vet, on Instagram: “Its things like this that make me nauseous. To know that rescuers are out there day and night and innocent people are caring for pets only to have them stolen and killed in a ritualistic manner.” 

Zion’s Mission Animal Rescue, on Facebook: “DO NOT ADOPT TO HIM. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.” 

What Happens Next 

NYPD’s DCPI said the investigation is ongoing. 

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