An El Portal man has been charged with animal cruelty and disorderly intoxication after a police officer observed him throwing live cats in a trashcan, authorities say.
Herman Vega, 57, told the arresting officer the cats had "s---t in his trailer so he was punishing them," according to the police report.
"While on patrol I observed the defendant walk to a plastic garbage can holding several adult cats in his arms," wrote El Portal PD officer D. Adlet, after the incident at 8500 Biscayne Boulevard.
"With a throwing motion downward [he] threw the cats into the garbage and I heard a thump in the can, which [had been] empty...The defendant also had a strong odor of alcohol on his breath and said he had been drinking."
Vega originally tried to pass himself off as someone named Roberto Thomas, according to the police report, providing Adlet with another person's social security number before finally 'fessing up.
Judge Dava J. Tunis ordered Vega's bond at $5,000 for one count of animal cruelty with intent to injure or kill, and $500 for a charge of disorderly intoxication.
