December 16, 2009
DNA Links Brooklyn Man to Cat's Beating
On December 10, Brooklyn resident Lordtyshon Garrett, 31, was arrested and charged with felony animal cruelty by ASPCA Special Agents for allegedly beating his mother’s 9-pound cat, Madea, with an umbrella.
The incident took place on October 12 in the home of Garrett's mother-in-law, Deborah Bender, where the suspect and his wife were temporarily staying. Bender claims the cat beating was in response to her telling Garrett to “find a job and move out.”
In a state of fury, Garret took the 4-year-old, Domestic Shorthair into the bathroom shower, closed the door and turned on the water. When Madea was finally released, she was soaked and her breathing was labored. Despite her obviously strained condition, Garret proceeded to chase the frightened cat around the apartment, while repeatedly jabbing and beating her with an umbrella.
Soon after the incident, Bender rushed the cat to the vet's office where she was humanely euthanized due to the severity of her injuries. Bender, then promptly contacted the ASPCA for help.
While working the crime scene, ASPCA investigators found pieces of black plastic from the umbrella in the cat's litter box and located the cat-scratched umbrella which contained Madea's DNA. This evidence was vital in the prosecution of Garret and is the second time the ASPCA has used animal DNA to solve a case.
Garret was arraigned in Brooklyn Criminal Court on December 11, where he is currently being held in lieu of $3,500 bail. He could face up to two years in jail.
If you know of an animal who is being hurt, please report it—those who intentionally hurt animals may move on to abuse the people in their lives. To report animal cruelty in New York City, call the ASPCA’s tip line at (877) THE-ASPCA. Visit our Report Cruelty FAQ to learn how to report cruelty elsewhere.