ASPCA Arrests Father and Son for Beating Cat to Death

Monday, July 30, 2012 - 11:30am
ASPCA Arrests Father and Son for Beating Cat to Death

We never get used to it. No matter how many cases of cruelty our team investigates, the brutality of it still hits us hard in the heart. This case was no exception. In mid-July our Humane Law Enforcement department received a call from an eyewitness who saw a father and son beating their cat to death with a stick. We jumped into action.

Quickly finding the deceased cat in a garbage bag on the side of the road, our Agents subsequently obtained a search warrant for the home. A search uncovered a broken stick encrusted with cat fibers and blood in the attic. Jean Rog Murat, 60, and his son, Robenson Murat, 29, were arrested and taken into custody.

The Kings County District Attorney indicted the duo on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals; overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; and failure to provide proper sustenance for animals. If convicted, the defendants will face a maximum of two years of incarceration.

“This was a heinous act on an innocent animal and a clear case of violent abuse,” says Stacy Wolf, Vice President and Chief Counsel of the ASPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement department. “We praise the district attorney for his commitment to hold these perpetrators accountable for their cruel and callous acts.”

Animal cruelty is a crime in every state. With your help, we fight back. Please join our battle against animal cruelty today!

Tags: 
Animal Cruelty
Humane Law Enforcement

Comments

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:29 — Jennifer (Visitor)
A death is a death , why only two years? If there were stricter laws governing animal abuse maybe less trash would harm them.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:33 — Julie (Visitor)
Amen .. We need much more stricker laws .. how could thay harm a cat like that.. for what ??

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 21:13 — jennifer (Visitor)
Exactly!!!

Tue, 07/31/2012 - 02:00 — Andrea L Kollars (Visitor)
Exactly what I was going to say. We need tougher laws against animal abuse......Federal & State laws........some states seem to take this subject lightly! If these law makers would only realize how much pain is inflicted on these animals,& put themselves in the animals place, maybe they would do something about it. They feel pain just like we do. There is NO excuse for anyone to harm any animal let alone a little cat!

Tue, 07/31/2012 - 10:22 — Pat (Visitor)
They deserve to be in prison. This is heartbreaking.

Sat, 08/04/2012 - 05:03 — Heather (Visitor)
Couldn't agree more, until there are tougher penalties abusers will continue to mock the law with their violent and inhumane ways against animals

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:30 — Julie Barber (Visitor)
These 2 jerks need to be locked up !!

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:30 — Michael (Visitor)
In my opinion, if they are capable of doing this to a defenseless animal, what's to stop them from trying to harm other people? They deserve much more than the maximum two years they're facing.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:36 — Jason Todd Gonzalez (Visitor)
I agree. People who are sick to beat a poor cat to death will end up inflicting this violence towards people. It's a known fact. Why doesn't the law take that into consideration. History of serial killers had been known to doing the same. 2 years sentencing isn't enough!

Thu, 08/02/2012 - 14:30 — MIke Ford (Visitor)
What difference does it make if they might possibly do it to a human? It's enough that they did it to an animal. The whole "they need to be stopped before they do it to a person" argument is stupid and beside the point.

Fri, 08/03/2012 - 11:38 — chloe (Visitor)
so true! why can't we just think of the animals instead of having to relate this to people in some way? is there no other way for someone to have feelings about this unless people are mentioned? it's derailing

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:30 — Kandi Kaylor (Visitor)
How about we find a "stick" and beat them both to death. What's 2 years, a tiny slap on the wrist, that's why people do what they do. There is no adequate punishment!!

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:33 — John Maguire (Visitor)
I understand the sentiment, however just as it was wrong to kill the cat, it is wrong to kill them. Killing is never okay, no matter who it is. This article is a major tragedy however. A father and his son. That's... upsetting, to say the least.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 21:25 — Laura (Visitor)
Disagree. The cat was innocent. These two are not. Let the guilty pay.

Tue, 07/31/2012 - 02:34 — Belinda McCullough (Visitor)
Eye for an eye. Humans, after all are mammals too. These two peas in the pod obviously have the same damaged brain cells and should not only be locked up but beaten with a stick near death, let them heal then do it again. Then we might talk about psychiatric help. No tolerance for abusers.

Sat, 08/04/2012 - 10:55 — shannon (Visitor)
I agree and believe that they should do this to the guilty in both child and animal abuse cases...And then they should serve a prison sentence, in with the others, branded so the others know what they did, so Karma can get them again. Prison, because a stitch in time, saves nine.

Sun, 08/05/2012 - 02:00 — Chris Fulton (Visitor)
I normally do not advocate and eye for an eye re: people. Just let them die in prison. But when a basically defenseless pet is tortured, that's a whole other story. Agree -- NO TOLERANCE!!

Tue, 07/31/2012 - 08:21 — Alicia (Visitor)
So you're saying that if 1 person kills 96 people and 2000 animals that its not ok but don't give them the death penalty? WTF?

Fri, 08/03/2012 - 14:29 — Debbie (Visitor)
I agree that anyone that hurts an animal should get the same treatment that they gave to the animal. People are getting off too easy. Animals give unconditional love & never deserve any kind of abuse. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:31 — Jena (Visitor)
I am so hapy that th DA in Kings County gave these two scums the max. I wish it could be life, or stoning, even that is to good for them. These two should never be allowed to own another pet.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:59 — k (Visitor)
they weren't given the max. they have been arrested, indicted, and will have a trial. they havent been convicted yet, so we dont know what their actual punishment is.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:31 — Bob Bower (Visitor)
The punishments have GOT to get stricter

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:33 — Kourtney (Visitor)
2 years is not even close to what they should get!

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:33 — Silvia (Visitor)
This makes me sick. Innocent animals! Like the don't have emotions or feelings. How would they like it if they got beaten with a stick. 2 years in jail is too little. But cudos to the DA for holding up the law.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:33 — Sean Van Gorder (Visitor)
This is disgusting. Please provide the perps city, state & address. I'm gonna get in my truck and drive to them and then kill them both. God Bless.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:38 — donna williams (Visitor)
they should get life for this or will kill them

Sun, 08/12/2012 - 00:42 — Pat McDonough (Visitor)
Life? Why? It's a cat for crying out loud! Did you know the ASPCA kills cats and dogs that go unwanted? Should they get life in prison as well? Did you know that it costs over 60k to house one prisoner for a year? Would toylike to pay for that because I sure as hell don't. Not all cats are friendly and living creatures, obviously you've never seen the show My Cat From Hell. Not everyone loves cats like the rest of these cat loving commenters. If they should get life for killing a cat, then everyone who eats meat, kills bugs and rodents should be locked up as well. You delusional, crazy cat people need to wake up and join reality. Seriously.

Mon, 08/27/2012 - 10:12 — Elizabeth (Visitor)
Pat, just because you hate cats is no reason to ignore the fact that two people beat an animal to death in plain view of an eyewitness. It was not a humane slaughter or euthanasia. You may hate small animals like cats and not want them around, but it doesn't mean Americans can simply allow people to commit violent cruel acts (this one in front of an audience) without punishment. If you are concerned about how "your tax dollars" are spent, there are myriads of other areas that need reform, such as insurance fraud and unemployment benefits. In the meantime, it would be great if you could put your hatred of small pets and cat owners to the side in order to see that two violent people have been reprimanded. NYC does not need any more father-son duos being allowed to beat domestic animals, whether you personally hate the animals or not. As you have seen on Jackson Galaxy's show, cat behavior is related to their surroundings and there are many more solutions besides beating them to death, just as with any pet. If this family no longer could handle their cat, they had many options, including surrender calling animal control, not making a public beating spectacle. I don't know many New Yorkers that would want such neighbors.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:38 — donna williams (Visitor)
they should get life for this or will kill them

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:39 — Bea Booth (Visitor)
What should happen to them is if I was a judge I WOULD BEAT THEM,OMG I have a cat who is 18 years old she is my life We love all animals, The laws are not tuff enough for animal abuse....

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:41 — Melissa (Visitor)
The animal cruelty and abuse punishments really need to be stricter, and more comparable to child abuse laws. Both animals and children are defenseless, and those who hurt two- or four-legged helpless creatures have to be severely punished. I am so sick of hearing of these lenient sentences and fines imposed on those who hurt animals.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:42 — Mike Hunt (Visitor)
http://www.facebook.com/robenson.murat

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:44 — Mitzi B.Santos (Visitor)
I agree with those who say stricter laws for people who do this..if the laws were more severe it just MIGHT stop them or maybe slow them down...

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:44 — Janad (Visitor)
Whay a couple of assholes.. I wish we could all band together and beat them sick bastards with sticks!!!

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:45 — Suzie Rosa (Visitor)
There is something sick and twisted in peoples mind to be able to act so inhumane, so barbaric. I am glad there are laws but they certainly are not strict enough. Animal rights don't get as much attention as they should.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:45 — Sandra Pohlman (Visitor)
Stricter laws YES! I congratulate the ASPCA for quick action. Just making their brutality known to the community is good too, although what they did deserves a lot more than 2 lousy years.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:46 — Isabella (Visitor)
I think they deserve far more than just 2 years of incarseration. If someone did the same to a child, they would get a longer sentence as they should, but it should not matter because our pets are our babies too. A cat is like a child in the same sense that it relies on you for care, love, attention, and all of the things it needs. For someone to beat it to death for no reason at all is just sick. I think they should serve a longer sentence, and I think the laws on animal cruelty need to be a bit stricter.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 23:04 — Mikayla (Visitor)
I completely agree. Although they're covered in fur, cats and other animals are like our children! What did they gain? I vote a life sentence or death by firing squad. This sickens me.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:49 — Lisa (Visitor)
This just sickens me so much. Helpless animals slaughtered by human beings. Let them both rot in jail, and maybe a good beating before being locked away. Really, really sad and sick!!

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:51 — Jacie (Visitor)
This is exactly why I want to be a humane law enforcer for the Houston SPCA- I want to help bring people like this to justice for these horrible crimes.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:51 — inmates wil tak... (Visitor)
its that simple.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:52 — Shawn Jefferson (Visitor)
Anyone who can do this to a defenseless animal obviously has something mentally wrong with them and I don't think a person like that deserves to be live free in society. Anyone capable of such horrifying acts cannot be rehabilitated and should be given a life sentence. 2 years is a joke. I just wish I could've been there right as it was happening. There would be two severely injured idiots and a new cat in my home.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:52 — inmates wil tak... (Visitor)
inmates will beat them to a pulp.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:55 — Fran (Visitor)
This sick duo needs to be beaten to death with a stick. Anyone who would kill an animal with no regards, would certainly kill a human with no regards. People who kill any living being for the hell of it, should be put to death for this action. This would be a good way to start cleaning up this world - let's take out the trash!!

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:55 — Jennifer (Visitor)
It is very sad to hear of yet another act of senseless cruelty to an innocent animal. I wish the laws would change and that these jerks would do more time in jail and that the fines were steeper. Two years is a slap on the wrist.

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:57 — Tracy Raymer (Visitor)
They should of known better, but people are stupid!!! In my opinion they should be given the same punishment that cat was given, BEAT THEM BOTH WITH A STICK!!!

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:58 — Peggy (Visitor)
This is disgusting.. they should be beat with stick and then forced to volunteer at the local human society and learn how to treat animals. Throw the book at them!

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:58 — Rainstar (Visitor)
This criminal act should be a felony. If it is not (judging by the penalty it doesn't seem as it if is), then the law should be changed so that we could give the appropriate penalty. Is there a petition to change the law? If not, I recommend the ASPCA start one. They'll get the signatures in no time!

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 20:59 — Rainstar (Visitor)
This criminal act should be a felony. If it is not (judging by the penalty it doesn't seem as it if is), then the law should be changed so that we could give the appropriate penalty. Is there a petition to change the law? If not, I recommend the ASPCA start one. They'll get the signatures in no time!

Mon, 07/30/2012 - 21:00 — Lisa (Visitor)
We need stricter laws in this country. This duo MAY receive a "maximum" of two years? Seriously? I know that a lot of people say that cruelty against animals leads to cruelty to humans - and while that may very well be true - A LIFE IS A LIFE. Animals are sentient beings that have feelings, their own language and heirarchical structure among their species. WHAT GIVES US THE RIGHT to put a man in prison (or sentence him to death) for killing a human and then disrespect another species' life by giving a person a mere two years for savagely beating a it to death? Sure, it may seem like a great leap, comparing the life of a human to the life of a cat (since animals' lives are so much shorter than ours), but all life should be sacred. The world may not change with harsher laws, but it WILL deter some from making the horrible mistake of abusing an animal.

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