A South Florida man who breeds birds appeared in bond court Wednesday for allegedly beating the family cat in his backyard.
James Shawger, 31, was arrested Monday at his home on Northwest 4th Street and 8th Avenue in Homestead after the cat was discovered severely battered, police said. He was charged with one-count of animal cruelty with intent to injure or kill.
In court, prosecutors said Shawger punched and kicked the cat, named "Chicken Nugget," after he jumped into the man’s bird cage and killed one of his birds. Judge Mark Blumstein of Miami-Dade Criminal Court appeared flabbergasted during Wednesday’s hearing.
“Cats. Birds. You know, this is what they do,” Judge Blumstein told the suspect.
Shawger also slammed the cat onto the ground, according to a police report. Chicken Nugget was found lying outside the fence barely barely, with one of his eye partly protruding from the socket, an arrest report says.
The cat's injuries were so severe, he could not walk and had to be euthanized. Judge Blumstein ordered Shawger to a program for first-time offenders.
"You're going to try and get some help in pre-trial services," the judge said.
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If Shawger doesn’t participate in the program, he’s face a $5,000 bond. The third-degree animal cruelty charge carries a penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine up to $10,000.
