AUSTIN, Texas — A couple was arrested for allegedly abandoning kittens outside in freezing temperatures in north Austin last month.
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On Monday, Jan. 26, Austin police responded to a 9-1-1 call about eight kittens found in a cage outside in freezing temperatures near 6815 Great Northern Blvd.
According to court documents, officers at the scene found a woman later identified as 22-year-old ShaDiamond Emonie McQuieter, who said the she and her significant other, 25-year-old Jarrell Cordell Thomas, had discovered the kittens outside and called the police. A separate witness then told police that he had observed the couple set the crate on the snow and leave the kittens unattended.
McQuieter then admitted that she had been housing the kittens and contacted an animal shelter to set up an owner surrender, but was turned away.
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The eight kittens were taken to the Austin Animal Center by police.
The witness told police that he had observed McQuieter and Thomas take the kennel containing the kittens from their apartment, placing it adjacent to the street in the cold before returning to their apartment and leaving the kittens behind. The witness also said that he had seen kittens inside their apartment before and recognized them as the ones abandoned in the crate.
McQuieter and Thomas were both arrested and each charged with eights counts of animal cruelty charges. APD says that both suspects were taken into custody and were processed at the Travis County Jail.