Virginia: Bedford County Animal Shelter Employee Bryan Skinnell, 43, beat a cat to death, say police

VIRGINIA -- The Bedford County Sheriff's Animal Control have confirmed that a man has been fired after a cat had to be euthanized because of injuries sustained at the Bedford County Animal Shelter.

Animal Control Deputies say they received a complaint on August 10 that a worker had seriously injured a cat while cleaning the facility.

That worker, who police have identified as Bryan Thomas Skinnell, 43, has been terminated from the facility.

Skinnel told police the cat kept escaping from his cage, which "frustrated" him.

Deputies confirm the cat was taken to a local veterinarian clinic where it was found to have been so severely injured, it had to be euthanized. They say the cause of death was consistent with blunt force trauma.

Skinnell has been charged with felony animal cruelty.

Police say Skinnell was arrested on September 26 and released on a personal recognizance bond.

ARREST INFO
Full Name: Bryan Thomas Skinnell
Date of birth: 01/28/1973
Age at arrest: 43
Current address: 2732 Otter Hill Rd, Bedford, Virginia 24523
Date of arrest: 09/26/2016
Arresting agency: Bedford County, Virginia
Total Bond: $2,000
Charge:
#1 TORTURE/MUTILATE DOG OR CAR, CAUSE DEATH
STATUTE: 3.2-6570(F). BOND: $2,000

(WSET - Oct 14, 2016)