Daniel Wright, of 2120 Stall Drive, was booked with 10 counts of aggravated animal cruelty on Wednesday, after a tip from residents led authorities to several tortured cats. They say that Wright set the animals on fire, cut off their body parts and shoved items into their anuses, according to Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand. He is being held at the Jefferson Parish Correctional Center in Gretna on a $1 million bond.
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| Daniel Wright |
Normand called the incident "egregious" and a "shock to conscience." He noted that there is a link to animal abuse and future abuse against humans. Wright has had at least a dozen prior arrests for incidents ranging from theft, to criminal damage to carnal knowledge of a juvenile.
"This young man has issues, serious issues," Normand said.
Deputies learned of the torture while investigating a complaint by a neighbor of odd behavior by Wright, and the fact that several neighborhood pets had gone missing. Deputy Donna Madere learned that Wright had bragged to friends about mutilating animals, Normand said.
Madere contacted the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter and learned that there had been several cases of animal cruelty in the Woodland West subdivision. Authorities were able to locate Wright through his probation officer and brought him to discuss the incidents. Wright was on probation for a burglary charge.
During a polygraph exam, investigators were able to learn that Wright wasn't being truthful about the incidents, and eventually got him to admit to the cruelty.
He said he would lure the animals with food, and initially starved them to make them suffer. When that didn't satisfy his cravings, Wright said he began slicing their ears and then burning them. Wright also tortured a possum.
It appears that Wright may have been on medication for some time, and had an arrangement with his parents because of prior problems where he was not allowed in the house alone. Normand said authorities are checking into additional animal cruelty cases, plus there are investigating the possibility that Wright may have targeted humans on some occasions.
Robin Beaulieu, the director of the parish animal shelter, said that many of the tortured animals have survived although one had to be euthanized. Two of the animals are available for adoption at the animal shelter. She said that it is great that Wright has been captured.
"It's good we got this guy off the street," she said.
(The Times-Picayune - Oct 27, 2011)