The City of Mission Viejo says that the suspect who was caught on video throwing an injured cat into a dumpster in Laguna Hills has been arrested. The incident occurred on Monday around 7:20 p.m. near Cabot and La Paz Road. Surveillance footage shows an individual exiting a vehicle, retrieving a white garbage bag, and discarding it into the dumpster before driving away.
The injured cat, now named Willow, was found just minutes before the dumpster was scheduled for collection. According to ABC7, Willow was suffering from extensive injuries and was immediately taken to a local animal hospital for treatment. Despite the trauma, Willow is expected to recover and has been showing affection to the veterinary staff caring for her. Donations to support Willow’s recovery can be made through the Dedicated Animal Welfare Group at dawg.org.
The arrest came just hours after the City issued a press release asking for the public’s help in identifying the individual
“Through our social media, the cat owner came forward and identified the man was her roommate seen in the video, and we conducted an investigation and have probable cause that the suspect was in violation of animal cruelty,” said Mission Viejo Animal Services Supervisor Kyle Werner.
The man was taken into custody with assistance of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.
The City of Mission Viejo Animal Services is grateful to the media for its vast coverage and residents who stepped up to help identify the suspect.
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