HAMILTON, Ohio — A 27-year-old faces felony charges after the Butler County Sheriff's Office said he abused a cat in Hamilton.
Sheriff Richard K. Jones said a tip helped officials locate and arrest Zhean Bai after video showed a man on Jan. 24 trap a cat inside a white garbage bag and slam the bag on the floor at the Indian Springs apartment complex on Hampshire Drive.
"Man, when I saw that video ... just sad," said Edward Dozier, who lives in the complex and works maintenance. "Why somebody just gonna come over here and kill a cat? Don't even live over here."
The cat was left with a fractured pelvis and spine, the Butler County Deputy Dog Warden said.
Despite the grave injuries, the cat was still alive when the man dumped it outside the building. It had to be humanely euthanized the next day.
Bai is charged with prohibitions concerning companion animals — a fifth-degree felony — as well as breaking and entering. Jones said an investigation is ongoing to determine if Bai is linked to any more animal cruelty cases.
"This instance of horrific cruelty is unimaginable and will never be tolerated in this county. Anyone who treats an animal in such a cruel manner will always find a place in my jail," Jones said.
Residents said the cat was known as Juliet, an elderly cat that often spent time in several neighbors' units. She, along with the other cats, was specifically cared for by one of the tenants.
"He put straw out for them in the bedding at winter time and everything. He has multiple bowls and feeds them daily, I mean he's just an all-around great guy," said Dennis Mays, who lives in the complex.
The caretaking tenant launched the search for the stranger after the incident, hanging up fliers and photos in every building.
"He came knocking on my door the night after it happened and he was telling me about it and he showed me a little piece of paper with Juliet's pawprint and the bag with her ashes," Dozier said. "So I was like, 'Oh my god, that's sad. That is sad.'"
Bai has been booked into the Butler County Jail and is being held pending arraignment.
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