Texas: Christopher Joel Gonzales arrested after video shows him violently throwing kitten

TEXAS -- A video of a man violently throwing a kitten across his backyard has been seen by thousands and shared hundreds of times on social media.

Now police have launched an investigation and are searching for the man behind it all.

Investigators have determined that the man they are looking for is 25-year-old Christopher Gonzales.

According to family members Gonzales has been in trouble with the law on multiple occasions.

 

CBS 7 did our own digging and obtained his criminal record. According to state documents, Gonzales has faced charges of possession of marijuana, having a prohibited substance in a correctional facility, and evading arrest since 2010.

The video undoubtedly has the Permian Basin talking. It all started when one animal advocate spoke out, shared the video, and made sure police were aware of what was happening.

CBS 7 spoke with the woman who did everything she could to make sure the man was identified and hopes for a quick arrest.

Leslie Bueno saw the video early Thursday morning and knew she couldn’t just let it slide. Since she first saw it she’s practically been glued to social media and tells us she was the first one to really get the ball rolling.

It only takes 12 seconds for Gonzales to offend and disturb much of the Permian Basin. With a beer in one hand and a kitten in the other, he makes obscene remarks then hurls the kitten across the yard.

Within hours, the video traveled across the internet and was the talk of social media. The woman who claims to be behind it all is Bueno, an advocate for all animals. “I posted on Furry Friends have Feelings too, West Texas Diamonds in the Ruff, and I posted it all on my Facebook.”

  

  

  

  

From there, Bueno says there was no turning back. “People started sharing that and they just swept Facebook,” she said.

Just eight hours after Bueno’s first share, residents began chiming in on who the man is and where he lives. Soon after, police step in and issue an animal cruelty warrant for the suspect, Christopher Gonzales.

“We are just hoping that justice is served for him,” said Bueno.

And with the help of the public, an arrest looks promising….once again showing just how quickly content posted on social media can be shared and reported to local law enforcement.

As of news time, no arrest has been made.

The kitten in the video is recovering. Odessa Animal control officials tell CBS 7 they received the cat, who appeared to be very thin, dirty, and possibly suffering from broken ribs. The kitten has been picked up by a local animal rescue “Speaking up for those who can’t.”

Leaders from Animal Control say they were shocked but happy that the cat survived.

“He was eating just fine, he was very friendly so I am hoping for the best, of course we won’t know until we get the report back from the vet,” said Odessa Animal Shelter Manager Jacqueline Adimare.

Once the kitten recovers, it will be put up for adoption by the animal rescue.

UPDATE:
From Odessa Police Department: Officers arrested Christopher Gonzales (Chris Gonzales) in the 1300 block of Copus Friday morning. Gonzales had two active warrants, including a felony warrant for Animal Cruelty.

(CBS7 - July 24, 2015)