Cat Killed, Laguna Beach Police Arrest Suspect

LAGUNA BEACH, CA — Residents of Laguna Beach have been in outrage after a man was seen allegedly killing a cat on Hill Street, Laguna Beach Police Sgt. Jim Cota tells Patch.

On Saturday, police responded to the 400 block of Hill Street, where a man was screaming and yelling, holding a cat in his right hand, raised high in the air.

"He was speaking unintelligibly and walking in circles, waving the cat around," Cota said.

Officers demanded he put the animal down, but instead, he violently struck the animal on the hood of the police vehicle, resulting in its death.

The suspect, identified as Laguna Beach resident Joey Gabaldon, was tasered twice before he fell to the ground. The officers were at last able to remove the dead cat from his grasp.

Gabaldon was taken to Mission Hospital for medical clearance before he was booked into Orange County Jail, Cota said.

"The Laguna Beach Police Major Crimes Unit is currently conducting a thorough investigation into the unfortunate killing of a cat that occurred over the weekend," he told us.

Neighbors have taken to the street with signs, demanding to speak with the owner of the house where the man lived; however, police say that no one else was involved in the cat's demise.

"Laguna Beach Police are working with Animal Control officers and the deceased cat's owner to ensure that all other pets at that residence are safe," Cota said. "The suspect is in custody at the Orange County Jail on multiple charges, including felony animal cruelty. He no longer has access to any pets."

The violent nature of the cat's death, and the outrage that has followed reached its peak Wednesday.

Officers learned his residence, and that he had been abusing the animal before police arrived. A woman who lives at the same home was not involved in the animal's abuse, police say. Her relationship with Gabaldon was not released.

Police have asked the public to stop harassing her.

"Please respect the privacy of the pet owner while she grieves the loss of her pet," he said. Further questions should be sent to the Investigations Division by calling 949-497-0370.