Friday, October 10, 2008

Pennsylvania: Shawn McGonigal, 28, gets probation after trying to kill kitten by cooking it alive in the microwave

PENNSYLVANIA -- A Bethlehem man will pay a $300 fine and be on 18 months of probation after pleading guilty Tuesday to putting a kitten in a microwave.

Shawn T. McGonigal, 28, of 568 Brighton St. was ordered to have no contact with animals, to get mental health treatment, and to attend anger management classes as part of his sentence on the misdemeanor cruelty to animals charge.

McGonigal claimed he was angry with the cat because it urinated on him while he slept at his girlfriend's Bath apartment, said prosecutor Jacqueline Taschner.

The kitten suffered burn injuries to its feet, ears, whiskers and mouth.

McGonigal's fine will be paid to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Northampton County Judge Kimberly McFadden ruled.

(The Morning Call - October 09, 2008)