MORGANTOWN — A man has been arrested on animal cruelty charges after turning himself in to police for strangling a cat at his home.
According to a release from Morgantown Police Department, James Gregory Wicker, 43, turned himself in early Oct. 30 morning, at 116 Walnut St.
While the department released a report saying that nine dead cats that Wicker admitted to strangling were found at his 412 Harding Ave. residence, the department then issued a correction stating that nine cats were found at the home, one of which was injured. According to the amended release, Wicker admitted to strangling the cat.
Monongalia County Animal Control was called to the home, where they are working to round up and care for any remaining animals, police said. Animal control has been able to take temporary custody of five cats and there are three remaining to be retrieved. The cats were being fostered at this residence and are owned by Appalachian Peace Paws. Monongalia Animal Control is working with the Morgantown Police Department to care for the animals and return them to the owner.
Wicker was charged with animal cruelty and was released on a personal recognizance bond.
