Plainfield Man Trapped Cat In Tube, Used 'Weed Pen' To Get It High: PD

PLAINFIELD, IL — A Plainfield man is accused of trapping a household cat in a tube and using a "weed pen" to attempt to get it "high," according to police.

Officers were dispatched at about 12:41 a.m. Nov. 2 to a residence in the 15800 block of South Spangler's Farm Drive for a domestic disturbance. The caller informed police that Joseph M. Hesch intentionally tried poisoning a household cat after getting into a verbal argument with family members, Commander Anthony Novak told Patch.

The 21-year-old man was also smoking cannabis and blowing the smoke into the little tube holding the cat. Novak said when officers spoke with Hesch, he admitted to trapping the cat and attempting to get it high.

Hesch was subsequently issued a notice to appear citation for cruel treatment of animals.

According to Michigan State University, marijuana — or more accurately, the psychoactive compound THC in marijuana — is toxic to cats, dogs and horses. Animals who are exposed to it should be taken to a veterinarian.

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Signs of poisoning by THC in pets include inactivity; incoordination; dilated pupils; increased sensitivity to motion, sound, or touch; hypersalivation; and urinary incontinence. More uncommon signs include restlessness, aggression, slow breathing, low blood pressure, an abnormally fast heart rate and rapid, involuntary eye movements.