Man Suspected Of Throwing Roommate's Cat In Dumpster Arrested

LAGUNA HILLS, CA — A 58-year-old Mission Viejo man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of animal cruelty for throwing an injured cat into a trash bin in Laguna Hills.

The feline was tossed into the trash at about 7:20 p.m. Monday in the 25000 block of Cabot Road in the City of Laguna Hills, according to Mission Viejo Animal Services.

Animal services officers were notified about the cat Tuesday, and the animal was rescued just moments before a garbage truck was about to collect trash from the dumpster.

Authorities found surveillance video footage of a man driving behind the businesses in the area, parking near the trash bin and tossing a white garbage bag into it, according to MVAS.

The cat, named BooBoo, is currently on the mend with undisclosed injuries.

The suspect, identified as Joseph Harrison Parker of Mission Viejo, was arrested Wednesday, according to Sgt. Matt Timmins of the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

"Through out social media, the cat owner came forward and identified the man was her roommate seen in the video, and we conducted an investigation and have probable cause that the suspect was in violation of animal cruelty," Mission Viejo Animal Services Supervisor Kyle Warner said.

The pet's owner has come forward and BooBoo, who is being treated by a veterinarian, is improving, officials said.

No further information was immediately available.