This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

A tragic case of domestic violence that escalated to animal torture involving a kitten who was brutally tortured then finally killed in a microwave in North Dakota highlights the heartbreaking ties between these two issues and the need for better mental health services. Urge the state attorney to seek maximum penalties and a mental evaluation and treatment for the abuser in this case!

On September 3, 2023, police were called to a woman's home after her boyfriend Carlos Perez got extremely angry that she was late getting home from work, which escalated into a physical assault and the torture and killing of her kitten. Perez is alleged to have sent her a photo of her kitten held over a stove burner before she arrived home. After she arrived home, he assaulted her and then shoved her into a closet. He hit the kitten over the head with a speaker, who was then choked, burned with a lighter, and finally placed in a microwave and cooked to death.

Perez was arrested and charged with felony counts of aggravated assault, terrorizing, aggravated cruelty, two counts of misdemeanor domestic violence, and one misdemeanor interference with an emergency call.

This was unfortunately not the first time Perez assaulted his girlfriend causing serious injuries, but she reportedly didn't come forward because he threatened to kill her and her family if she did.

Unfortunately, many abusers use beloved animal companions as leverage to control and manipulate their victims, and fear of their animals being harmed can often keep victims trapped in abusive situations.

Our mental health system has to become embedded within our justice and penal systems for any real hope of change. Please stand with us in calling for long prison sentences and mandated mental health programs for convicted abusers.

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.