Crime & Safety

Yonkers Teen Accused of Dousing Cat with Lighter Fluid

The following is from the SPCA of Westchester. It does not indicate a conviction.

An upset 17-year-old took out his anger on his aunt's cat on Monday, according to a press release from the .

SPCA Director of Humane Law Enforcement Ernest Lungaro reported the teenager is accused of "dousing his aunt's cat with lighter fluid and causing the animal excruciating pain."

“When I asked what had provoked the incident, the aunt, who is his legal guardian, told me that the boy was upset because he was not able to visit his mother that weekend,” Lungaro said in the statement.

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A caller initially notified police about the incident after reportedly seeing the cat on a balcony covered in lighter fluid. A pile of clothing and other parts of the balcony were also covered in the fluid.

“According to my interview with the aunt and cousin, the cat was literally dripping with lighter fluid and was screaming and defecating throughout the apartment,” said Lungaro. “When I took the cat to a veterinarian, I was told that their swift actions helped to prevent further pain and suffering.”

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The witnesses said the cat ran through the apartment in pain, but was caught by the owner, who put him under running water in the bathtub.

Veterinarian Dr. Jiao of Westchester Animal Hospital in Mount Vernon said that cat suffered from "irritations throughout its fur, nasal discharge and respiratory distress from breathing the fumes, and the tip of its tongue had been eroded."

He added the cat is expected to make a complete recovery.

The teenager's name was not released. He is charged with one count of Animal Cruelty.


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