DEFUNIAK SPRINGS, Fla. (WFLA) — A DeFuniak Springs man was arrested this week after deputies mentioned they realized he had been setting traps for feral cats after which, on not less than one event, killing them.
Deputies started an investigation on Tuesday, July 29, after a neighbor dwelling on West Violent Lane reported smelling a foul odor coming from a trash can, the Walton County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned.
The caller additionally reported seeing “quite a few” cat traps within the space, in accordance with authorities.
The trash can had been positioned by the highway early that morning. Deputies regarded inside and mentioned they discovered a lifeless cat within a bag. Investigators mentioned the cat was lined in blood and appeared to have a big, swollen contusion on the facet of its head.
Deputies observed two armed and baited animal traps close to the property’s fence line as they had been wanting across the space, in accordance with the sheriff’s workplace.
A gate was blocking the doorway to the house, however deputies mentioned they had been in a position to contact the person dwelling there, Richard Steven Taylor, 64, over the telephone.
When requested in regards to the traps, deputies mentioned Taylor argued he had completed nothing flawed and advised them he was allowed to set them out since “the cats are pests.”
He advised deputies he had been placing out traps for the final 10 years to catch feral cats and mentioned he “kills the ****** issues when [he] catches them,” in accordance with the sheriff’s workplace.
Deputies mentioned Taylor grew to become “more and more agitated” whereas speaking to them. They finally requested him to come back out and communicate with them in individual. He did so, carrying solely his underwear, in accordance with authorities.
A number of minutes handed as Taylor “berated deputies utilizing profanity, calling them names, and making threats,” the sheriff’s workplace mentioned.
Deputies knowledgeable Taylor they had been putting him below arrest, however mentioned he refused to exit his fence a number of occasions. Authorities mentioned he gave into their instructions after they allowed him to place extra garments on.
Taylor was charged with aggravated animal cruelty inflicting dying, threatening a primary responder with bodily hurt, and obstruction with out violence. He was booked into the Walton County Jail and was later launched on a $21,000 bond.
