Update:
Commonwealth's Attorney of Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg
PRESS RELEASE
This morning after the conclusion of an investigation by Virginia State Police, J.N. Snoddy has been charged with one (1) count of misdemeanor animal cruelty pursuant to Virginia Code 3.2-6570.
The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office of Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg will be prosecuting this case. No further commentary can be given regarding this case as it is now pending in the courts.
Marsha L. Garst
Commonwealth's Attorney of Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg
ORIGINAL AP Version - 12/09/2011
HARRISONBURG, Va. (AP) - The Harrisonburg Police Department is reviewing its policy for handling animal complaints after an officer euthanized an injured cat by beating it with his baton.
The department said in a statement this week that it conducted an internal investigation of the incident and took appropriate actions.
Wayne Meadows of Harrisonburg tells The Daily News-Record that a car hit the cat on Nov. 11. He took the injured animal home and called Harrisonburg authorities. An officer who responded told Meadows there were two options: let the cat suffer and die or euthanize it.
Meadows says he chose euthanization and expected the cat would be shot. However, he says the officer beat the animal with his baton.
Police spokeswoman Mary-Hope Vass declined to say whether the officer was disciplined.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Information from: Daily News-Record, http://www.dnronline.com
