New York: Michael Vreeland shot his mom's kitten six times, killing it

NEW YORK -- New York State Police are heading up an aggravated animal cruelty investigation after a mother reported to police her son shot and killed her kitten behind her Fenner home on Tuesday.

Police say 22-year-old Michael W. Vreeland shot the kitten six times with a .22 rifle, killing it, because he SAYS he "thought" it was having a seizure.

Trooper Jack Keller explained Vreeland knew police were at the home about concern for the cat and allegedly admitted to the crime.

 

"When he walked in he said, 'you must be here because I killed the cat.' He had already known what he had done. But, from his point of view he thought he was trying to somewhat help the cat. If he thought it was injured or having seizures for whatever reason, he decided to shoot the cat and leave it in the backyard," says Trooper Keller.

Vreeland was charged with felony aggravated cruelty to animals after investigation into the incident led police to believe to intended to cause extreme physical pain without any justifiable reason, according to Keller.

He is currently being held at the Madison County Jail on $500 cash or $1,000 bond. If convicted of the felony animal cruelty charge, Vreeland could face up to over a year in jail. He is scheduled to appear in the Town of Fenner Court at 2:30 p.m. on March 7.

UPDATE TO STORY (February 19, 2016)

A Madison County man who was charged Wednesday with aggravated cruelty to animals after allegedly shooting his mother's kitten now faces another charge.

Michael W. Vreeland, 22, of 183 Mutton Hill Road, Fenner has now been charged with violating an order of protection, according to Jack Keller, a spokesman for the New York State Police.

Vreeland called his mother from the Madison County jail several times Thursday night, violating the order of protection she had secured, police said.

Vreeland has been accused of shooting his mother's kitten six times with a .22 rifle killing the pet behind their house Wednesday, police said. Vreeland told police he did it because the kitten was having a seizure, but police said his mother did not believe that.

Because of the additional charge, Vreeland's bail was raised to $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond, police said. Previously, his bail was$ 500 cash or $1,000 bond.

(CNY Central - Feb 18, 2016)