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A Florida man is facing animal cruelty charges after authorities allege that he brutalized and killed two kittens and subjected another to a violent attack that ended with the kitten going to an animal hospital. Witnesses reportedly told deputies that he abused or killed the family's kittens as a way of punishing his teenage daughter.
 

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a Fort Myers home after receiving a 911 call reporting that David Charette Jr., 48, was attempting to drown and beat a two-month-old kitten named Luna.

Luna reportedly belonged to Charette's 14-year-old daughter.

When deputies arrived, they found Luna and intervened. According to body-camera footage, a deputy was holding Luna while Charette verbally defended his treatment of the kitten, ridiculously claiming that he was simply bathing her.

During the investigation, the sheriff's office reportedly learned that Charette had allegedly killed two other kittens.

Witnesses told deputies that Charette would abuse or kill the family's kittens as punishment when his daughter would “act up” or get into trouble. In June, Charette allegedly killed a one-month-old kitten after beating the animal and wrapping the kitten in a rag soaked with bleach.

Investigators also learned of another alleged killing in November, when Charette allegedly killed a three-month-old kitten after burning the animal with a blow dryer.

Authorities reportedly believed both deceased kittens had been buried in the backyard. During an extensive search of the property, investigators recovered one of the kittens.

The allegations involving Luna are also deeply disturbing. According to reports, Charette's daughter told deputies that he assaulted Luna with a bottle of nail polish and placed her inside a clothes dryer on August 1.

As a result of the deputies responding, Luna was taken to a nearby animal hospital for treatment. She is reportedly recovering.

Three adult cats were also removed from the home during the investigation.

The alleged pattern is horrifying: vulnerable animals were reportedly subjected to violence as a means of punishing a child.

The kittens were extremely young. One was approximately one month old, another three months old, and Luna only two months old. They depended entirely upon the humans responsible for their care and protection.

According to authorities and witness accounts, the kittens were allegedly beaten, exposed to bleach, burned, placed in a clothes dryer, and subjected to an attempted drowning.

Luna survived. Two other kittens were allegedly killed.

The alleged conduct also raises serious concerns about the danger posed by repeated intentional violence toward animals. This was not described as a single isolated incident. Investigators reportedly uncovered multiple alleged acts of cruelty involving the family's kittens over a period of months.

Animal cruelty laws exist to protect vulnerable animals from deliberate suffering. When allegations involve repeated violence, multiple victims, and the killing of animals, the criminal justice system should respond with seriousness and resolve.

This case also illustrates why Florida recently strengthened its animal cruelty laws through Dexter's Law. Florida citizens fought for enhanced penalties for the most horrific cases of animal abuse, and Gov. Ron DeSantis signed this legislation to ensure that those who commit aggravated animal cruelty face stronger consequences. Prosecutors should use every tool available under Florida law to seek justice for Luna and the other kittens allegedly harmed in this case.

Urge the State Attorney's Office for Florida's 20th Judicial Circuit to aggressively prosecute David Charette Jr. under Florida Statutes § 828.12(2) for aggravated animal cruelty and seek the maximum sentence allowed by law — up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine per victim — along with a permanent prohibition on contact with animals and a psychological evaluation with any recommended treatment.

The surviving kitten, Luna, deserves protection from ever experiencing this kind of violence again. The kittens who died deserve justice.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Justice Sought for Kittens Allegedly Killed and Abused in Fort Myers

I am writing to respectfully urge the Office of the State Attorney for Florida's 20th Judicial Circuit to vigorously prosecute the case against David Charette Jr. involving the alleged abuse and killing of multiple kittens in Fort Myers.

According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office and news reports, deputies responded to a Fort Myers residence after receiving a 911 call reporting that Charette was attempting to drown and beat a two-month-old kitten named Luna, who belonged to his 14-year-old daughter.

During the investigation, authorities reportedly learned of additional alleged acts of cruelty involving the family's kittens. Witnesses reportedly told deputies that Charette would abuse or kill the family pets as punishment when his daughter was in trouble or had “acted up.”

Authorities allege that in June, Charette killed a one-month-old kitten after beating the animal and wrapping the body in a rag soaked with bleach. Investigators also reportedly learned of a separate incident in November in which Charette allegedly killed a three-month-old kitten after burning the animal with a blow dryer.

Investigators believed the deceased kittens had been buried in the backyard and reportedly recovered one deceased kitten during an extensive search of the property.

Luna, a two-month-old kitten, survived the alleged abuse and was taken to an animal hospital for treatment. According to reports citing the investigation, Charette's daughter told deputies that he assaulted Luna with a bottle of nail polish and placed her inside a clothes dryer on August 1. Luna is reportedly recovering.

These allegations describe repeated and deliberate violence against extremely young and vulnerable animals. The kittens were dependent upon humans for their safety and care, yet authorities allege that they were subjected to severe abuse and that two of them were killed.

The alleged use of the kittens as a means of punishing a child is particularly disturbing. Animals should never be used as instruments of intimidation, retaliation, or punishment.

I respectfully request that your office aggressively prosecute David Charette Jr. under Florida Statutes § 828.12(2) for aggravated animal cruelty and seek the maximum sentence allowed by law — up to 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine per kitten. I also urge your office to request a permanent prohibition on contact with animals and a psychological evaluation with any recommended treatment, to address the disturbing allegations in this case.

Florida has strengthened its response to severe animal cruelty through Dexter’s Law, which enhances penalties for aggravated animal cruelty. I urge your office to seek the strongest possible sentence under this law and ensure that this case receives the full weight of Florida’s commitment to protecting animals from violence and abuse.

This case reportedly involves multiple alleged victims and repeated acts of intentional cruelty. Strong prosecution is essential to provide accountability for the kittens who died, protect Luna and other animals from future harm, and reinforce that deliberate violence against animals carries serious consequences.

The kittens who died cannot be brought back. Luna survived and now deserves protection from ever experiencing this kind of abuse again.

Please pursue this case vigorously and seek the strongest legally available consequences supported by the evidence.

Thank you for your attention to this profoundly disturbing matter.

Sincerely,

Signed

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