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<\/a>BRONX HALL OF Justice Sept. 15, 2023 Photo by S\u00edle Moloney<\/p>\n
Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced Tuesday, May 26, that a Bronx man was indicted for causing the death of his family\u2019s cat by allegedly throwing the animal out of his 15th floor apartment window after the cat scratched him.<\/p>\n
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Clark said the defendant, Miguel Perez, 32, of the Mitchell Housing Complex in The Bronx was arraigned on May 21 on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals and torturing and injuring animals before Bronx Supreme Court Justice Timothy Lewis. She said he is due back in court in July 2026.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe are supposed to love and care for our companion animals,\u201d Clark said. \u201cAllegedly, in a fit of rage, this defendant tossed the family\u2019s cat out of his apartment window, causing the animal\u2019s death. The abuse of animals will not be tolerated.\u201d<\/p>\n
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According to the investigation, on March 4, at around 10.20 a.m., Perez became upset after Shadow, his family\u2019s small black cat, scratched his hand and allegedly threw the cat out of a window of the 15th floor apartment, causing its death when it hit the pavement below.<\/p>\n
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Perez is presumed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.<\/p>\n
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In May 2023, another Bronx man was charged, as reported<\/a>, for allegedly slamming an animal\u2019s head against a table and killing it. In August 2025, a Belmont man was arrested<\/a> after allegedly abusing and malnourishing nine dogs. In May 2024, the owner of a Pitbull which savagely attacked a cat was arrested on animal cruelty and other charges<\/a> in the University Heights section of The Bronx.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In May 2022, 23 alleged River Park Towers gang members were\u00a0charged<\/a> with attempted murder, animal cruelty and other charges.\u00a0 Norwood News readers weighed in<\/a> on the topic of animal cruelty as part of our Inquiring Photographer series in October 2025.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n In July 2025, as reported<\/a>, then-NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced a $1 million investment in animal care centers in the City to increase capacity and hire more staff. City shelters had at one point stopped taking in abandoned animals as they were at capacity. New Yorkers are encouraged to adopt not buy.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n For hours and services for each of ACC\u2019s locations call (212) 788-4000, 10AM \u2013 6PM, 7 days a week. For help, please call\u00a0(212) 788-4000 \u00a0<\/p>\n Meanwhile, City Council Speaker Julie Menin (C.D. 5) and City Council Member Harvey Epstein (C.D.2 ) announced the launch of a new city council animal welfare caucus<\/a> in March.<\/p>\n \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n In other animal-related news, as reported<\/a>, a man was reportedly seen with a large snake around his neck at Woodlawn subway station on Sunday, May 31. As also\u00a0reported<\/a> recently, a Bronx Zoo keeper was hospitalized after he was bitten by a reptile while feeding it.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n
email:\u00a0CommunityPets@nycacc.org<\/a>,\u00a0nycacc.org\/services\/surrender<\/a>.<\/p>\n