Man Found Guilty of Having Dog Kill Coral Springs Family's Cat

FLORIDA -- An 81 year old man who allowed his dog to maul a cat and was caught on video doing so, was found guilty by a jury today. 

RIP Mama

After only a day of testimony, the jury returned their verdict and found Hume Hamilton, 81, guilty of animal cruelty charges, a third degree felony.

Hume Hamilton was walking his pit bull when it attacked a cat belonging to Coral Springs resident Tia Spath.

Spath, who lives in Ridgeview, was shocked to find out that their cat named “Mama” had been killed at her family business, Brandy Bail Bonds, in Fort Lauderdale.  She says that Mama had been their pet for almost 12 years and was a fixture at the business.

In the shocking surveillance video, the owner of a pit bull is seen walking on the property of Brandy Bail Bonds while following his dog’s lead to get closer to the cat,  when the pit bull viciously attacks. 

The dog’s strong jaws become locked around the cat and won’t release.   The man then tries to pull the cat out of the dog’s mouth, even stepping on the cat’s stomach. He finally he pulls the dog away, runs away, and  leaves the cat for dead.

Mama later died of her injuries and is buried at the business.

Hamilton had been held in jail since July without bond because he is facing charges for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was already on probation, so the judge held him without bond pending this trial. He could face jail time for this crime when he is sentenced next month.

(Coral Springs Talk - Oct 10, 2012)