This alert is no longer active, but here for reference.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

A Massachusetts man repeatedly abused a cat named Sage, swinging him by the tail, slamming him to the ground, and leaving him with broken bones, lung contusions, and a history of ongoing injuries. Sage survived the abuse and has now been adopted into a loving home, but the abuser must face maximum penalties under Massachusetts law.

In July 2025, Cambridge Animal Control received an anonymous complaint about Sage's abuse, which was passed on to MSPCA Law Enforcement.

According to MSPCA-Angell, an investigation turned up video that showed Sage falling from an upper floor, before his abuser swung him by his tail and repeatedly slammed him to the ground before bringing him back inside.

MSPCA Law Enforcement identified Sage's abuser as Jaydan Depina and worked with Cambridge Police to ensure his arrest.

Upon his surrender to the MSPCA Boston Adoption Center Clinic on July 21, 2025, Sage was found to have a broken tail and lung contusions. Veterinary imaging revealed additional injuries: rib and toe fractures that had occurred at least four weeks prior, indicating a pattern of ongoing abuse. These findings suggest that Sage's suffering was not an isolated incident but part of a prolonged period of severe mistreatment.

While Sage has since been adopted into a loving home where he'll never be hurt again, Depina has been arraigned on two counts of animal cruelty and was found dangerous at another hearing.

Jaydan Depina is being held without bail for 120 days while his case moves forward. Under Massachusetts law, animal cruelty can be prosecuted either as a misdemeanor or as a felony. The difference is enormous:

• A felony conviction carries up to seven years in state prison and fines up to $5,000.
• A misdemeanor conviction carries only a maximum of two and a half years in a county house of correction and much lower financial penalties.

We are calling for the District Attorney to pursue felony charges with the strongest penalties available. Anything less would minimize the horrifying abuse Sage endured and put other animals at risk.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Maximum Sentencing for the Man Who Severely Abused a Cat

I am writing to you in support of the prosecution of Jaydan Depina for brutalizing Sage, a cat he is charged with physically abusing.

Sadly, when Sage was examined at the MSPCA Boston Adoption Center Clinic, he was found to have a broken tail and lung contusions. He had been brought in the year before after suffering injuries caused by him supposedly merely falling from a building, but he also had rib and toe fractures from a few weeks before that falling incident that pointed to ongoing abuse.

While Sage has since been adopted into a loving home, Depina must be held accountable for the suffering he caused.

He has been found dangerous and is being held without bail. Under Massachusetts law, animal cruelty can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony. A felony conviction carries the strongest penalties — up to seven years in state prison and fines of up to $5,000. I urge you to pursue felony charges, seek the maximum sentencing, and ensure that he is permanently prohibited from contact with animals and mandated to undergo mental health counseling.

I will be following this case to its fruition and ask that you share my letter with the presiding judge.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Signed

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