KIRKLAND — A 21-year-old man has been arrested for severely injuring a cat, according to Oneida County Sheriff Robert Maciol.
The investigation began on Aug. 7 when the Sheriff’s Office was notified that an injured cat had been taken to the Clinton Pet Vet with broken bones and internal injuries.
The case was assigned to the Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Unit.
During the investigation, authorities learned that Jonathan Sykes of Kirkland, who is the cat’s owner, had treated the feline inhumanely while it was in his possession, resulting in the cat’s injuries.
On Aug. 18, Sykes was arrested and charged with one count of aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony, and overdriving, torturing and injuring animals-failure to provide proper sustenance, a misdemeanor.
Both charges are related to the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law.
Sykes was processed and scheduled to appear in Kirkland Town Court in September.
