Police: Man Shoots, Kills Neighbor's Cat Over Fear of Fleas

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A Dacula man is facing animal cruelty charges for allegedly shooting and killing a neighbor’s cat because he didn’t want his dog to get fleas.

According to the Gwinnett Police incident report, Larry Jefferson Rooks admitted to shooting the cat with his .22 rifle when he saw the animal come onto his property on Spring Street between 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. April 11.

“The suspect stated he shot at the cat because it was coming to his property to pass fleas to his dog,” the incident report stated.

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The cat was named Bellyrub, according to a WSB-TV report, which said the pet was owned by sisters, who keep several pets at their Williams Street residence. One of the sisters, Marie Nichols, told Channel 2, “It knocked me off my rocker, ya’ll. I could understand if it was rabid or something. To hurt an innocent cat, there’s no excuse for it.”

Rooks, 74, was arrested and charged with cruelty to animals. He was released April 12 on a $2,400 bond, according to Gwinnett County Jail records.

The cat was found dead in a neighbor’s yard, and was quickly identified as belonging to the sisters.

Rooks told police the cat was about 60 yards away from his garage when he fired the shot, which hit the pet just behind its left front leg.

The suspect was candid with police about the incident.

“I knew I hit it because it jumped in the air when I shot at it,” Rooks said, according to the incident report. He also reportedly said, “I knew I was not going to miss my shot because that rifle is pretty accurate.”

The sisters told WSB Bellyrub was their favorite. They want to see Rooks face the consequences of his actions and are concerned about what he may do in the future.

“If he’ll do that to that cat, what do you think he’ll do to me?” Nichols told the TV station.

(Photo: Larry Rooks. Gwinnett County Jail mug shot)