DA: Chesco Man Gave Heroin to Kitten

A Chester County man has been charged with animal abuse after a police officer happened upon him abusing a kitten.

The kitten had been choked with a rope and given heroin, CBS Philly reports.

James Myers, 24, of the 1300 Mary Jane Lane in West Chester, faces animal cruelty and drug charges, The Pottstown Mercury reports.

The Mercury said West Whiteland Police Officer Marc Meshurle was patrolling Dunwoody Drive in West Whiteland Township around 4:40 a.m. Aug. 3 when he caught Myers abusing the kitten.

Myers strangled the kitten; slammed its head into the pavement; and gave it heroin, The Daily News reported. Myers then spray-painted “SLAM IT YOU PU$$Y” on the pavement next to the kitten, The Daily News said.

Several of the kitten’s teeth had been knocked out, The Mercury said.

The animal was taken to Dr. Jennifer Magilton at HOPE Veterinary Clinic in Malvern, The Mercury said. Initially, the vet considered euthanizing the cat, CBS said, but the animal was able to be revived with Narcan. The small black kitten has been named “Hope” by the clinic’s staff, The Daily News said, and remains at the Malvern clinic while it recuperates.

In Myers’ car and on his person, police found heroin, hundreds of bags of used heroin and 46 hypodermic needles, The Mercury said.

“The abuse of this kitten was a singularly depraved act,” Chester County District Attorney Thomas P. Hogan said, according to CBS. “Heroin addicts abuse themselves, animals, and children without remorse or regret. What punishment is severe enough for this type of evil?”