Katniss was severely burned earlier this month and was taken to Animal Aid in Cleveland, Tenn.
Gary A. Westfield, 31, of Cleveland, was placed in custody today at approximately 1 p.m., according to Evie West, public information officer for the Cleveland Police Department. Westfield is being charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, which is a Class E felony.A 31-year-old man with an extensive criminal record was arrested Tuesday in Cleveland, Tenn., and charged with burning an 8-week-old kitten.
The arrest of Gary A. Westfield, of Cleveland, came after a reward exceeding $1,000 motivated a witness to come forward, said Evie West, public information officer with the Cleveland Police Department.
The kitten, named Katniss by caretakers, was severely burned earlier this month and was taken to Animal Aid in Athens, where veterinarian Todd Dolen and his staff cared for her until she died Sunday morning.
More than $700 was spent on Katniss' care, treating the burns that covered 90 percent of her body. She also needed several skin grafts and surgery to amputate the tips of her ears and back leg, which couldn't be saved.
"[The suspect's] arrest shows that some sort of fruition and some good will come out of this," Dolen said. "I hope the person that did this will go to jail."
Westfield has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, which is a class E felony and carries a punishment of up to six years in prison, along with a fine of up to $3,000.
Records show Westfield has been federally convicted of aggravated burglary, theft under $500 and over $1,000, resisting arrest, assault, and as a fugitive from justice. He remained in jail late Tuesday under bond set at $5,000.
Originally, investigators in the case believed that the incident took place at Ninth and Wildwood streets, but with witness help they concluded that the kitten was abused on Gaut Street near Central Avenue, according to West.
The witnesses asked the Cleveland Police Department not to identify them out of fear of retaliation.
Dolen hopes to see positive change result from this tragedy.
"We plan to meet with the local police and local schools to tell Katniss' story," Dolen said. "We want them to take this case seriously and prevent things like this happening in the future.
Contact staff writer Kendi Anderson at kendi.anderson@timesfreepress.com or at 423-757-6592.