NEW: North Providence Police Arrest Man for Killing Kitten, Throwing it in Trash
GoLocalProv News Team
NEW: North Providence Police Arrest Man for Killing Kitten, Throwing it in Trash
Matthew Johnson, 27, of Smithfield was arrested and charged with two counts of malicious injury to or killing of animals.
Bail was set at $2,500 with surety.
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On September 24, 2019, at approximately 5:40 p.m. members of the North Providence Police Department were sent to 1014 Charles St. in response to a woman who had found her kitten dead inside of a trash bag that was located in a dumpster on the property.
As the investigation progressed the woman suspected that her daughter’s boyfriend, Johnson, may have injured the kitten.
According to North Providence police, the woman explained that Johnson admitted to her that he had kicked one of her other cats. This cat suffered an injury and was found to be limping. This incident occurred approximately one week earlier.
The woman also mentioned that Johnson was alone with the kitten in her home when she left for work on September 24, 2019.
When she returned home at approximately 4:30 p.m. she could not find the kitten. The woman had asked Johnson about the whereabouts of the kitten and he said he last saw the kitten before he took the trash out.
According to police, the woman was suspicious of the comment by Johnson that he had previously seen the kitten before taking the trash out. She was concerned about the welfare of the kitten considering the information that he had kicked another one of her pets. The woman then checked the trash and found the cat.
The investigators questioned the pet owner and other witnesses and were able to obtain sufficient probable cause to apply for an arrest warrant for Johnson.
The warrant was approved on September 27, 2019.
At approximately 2:30 p.m., Johnson was taken into custody with the assistance of the Smithfield Police Department.
During questioning, Johnson suggested that the kitten suffered the injuries at the hands of a 1-year-old child.
Johnson was arraigned before a Bail Commissioner on September 27, 2019.