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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Man Charged With Cruelty For Tossing Kitten In River

From Staff And Wire Reports

A Portland man has been charged with first-degree animal cruelty, accused of choking a kitten with a rope and throwing it repeatedly into the Columbia River.

Sean O’Donnell Robertson, 30, has been ordered to appear in Clark County Superior Court on Dec. 31 to enter a plea to the felony charge. If convicted, he could spend up to a year in jail.

Robertson is accused of dragging the kitten on a rope through a parking lot at the waterfront here on Nov. 13.

A witness said Robertson jerked the animal 3 to 4 feet in the air when it would stop, according to a court affidavit filed by prosecutors.

The witness also said Robertson tossed the kitten into the water and pulled it back out with the rope at least three times, the affidavit said.

County animal protection officers took the kitten, which was cold and unresponsive, to the Hazel Dell Animal Hospital, where it has recovered and gone home with the veterinarian and his wife.