New York: Skyler Brooks, 20, gets jail time for beating cat - and banned from ever owning or living with animals again

NEW YORK -- A 20-year-old Town of Lockport man will spend 60 days in jail after being convicted of severely beating a cat last year.

Skyler Brooks, 20, was also sentenced Thursday to three years of probation, three months of electronic monitoring, 16 days in the sheriff’s work program and placement on the Niagara County Animal Abuse Registry after being convicted of a misdemeanor animal cruelty.

Brooks is the first individual to be placed on Niagara County's Animal Abuse Registry by the SPCA of Niagara.

The cat, now named Varis, is lucky to be alive

On June 2, 2015, the Town of Lockport Dog Control Officer received a complaint of a cat being beaten. The call was turned over to SPCA of Niagara Animal Cruelty Investigator Lauren Zaninovich who immediately began investigating the details of the beating. She met with the veterinarians from Donner Creek Animal Hospital in Lockport who examined Isis now named Varis.

Varis was found to have a dislocated tail, broken teeth, toenails pulled out and a fractured skull.

It was determined that beyond a shadow of a doubt Varis had been beaten and there was only one person who could have beaten her and inflicted such significant injuries. Brooks was arrested by sheriff’s deputies and Zaninovich on June 24, 2015, after a complete investigation.

"We are elated for justice to be served for Brooks' victim Varis (Turkish for survivor) and we hope this will help to educate those who might commit such cruel acts against animals and let them know they will not get away with animal abuse”” said SPCA of Niagara Executive Director Amy Lewis, adding that SPCA officials are grateful to the judges and prosecutors of the Town of Lockport for their commitment to keeping the animals of Niagara County safe.

Due to his inclusion on the Animal Abuse Registry it will be illegal for Brooks to ever own or live in the same residence as an animal again. It also gives the SPCA the ability to keep in contact with him to make sure he adheres to the terms of the registry. If found to own or reside with animals in the future, he could face up to a year of incarceration or a $5,000 fine.

(Niagara Gazette - March 18, 2016)