That's the scene police came upon in a cemetery early New Year's morning.
Now, authorities are trying to find a home for the kitten they call Nuevo and three men are facing time behind bars.
Police discovered the cat at about 1 a.m. New Year's Day in the Downey Cemetery. Three men found with the cat were arrested, according to the Southeast Area Animal Control Authority.
Downey Police Officer Chris Maher approached the men and saw a bag hanging from a tree. When he looked in the bag, he found Nuevo, whose front and back legs were tied up, according to SEAACA Cpl. Charles Miller.
The men, one of whom was wearing a black, hooded cloak, told the officer they planned to kill the feline, according to a written statement from SEAACA.
On Tuesday, the three men pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty.
Miguel Capistran Flores, 26, of Los Angeles and Dimas Martinez Sanchez, 33, of Los Angeles were sentenced to one year in jail, according to Miller.
Camarino Reyes, 57, of Lynwood was sentenced to 90 days in jail and three years' probation, according to Miller.
"Usually, when you see these types of incidents, it's usually teenagers,' he said. "But these were adults. To me, I guess that makes this even more alarming. I can't say enough how happy we were with the sentence.'
For having almost been sacrificed, Nuevo on Thursday was in good spirits at the SEAACA headquarters in Downey.
The long, lean kitten with white back paws snuggled with the pound's employees and burrowed through plants in the facility's visiting area.
He had what appeared to be rope burns on his legs and a small scar on his hip, but he did not seem to be in pain.
"You'd think after something like that, he'd be a little scared,' Miller said. "But he's just looking for some affection.'
I am always sooo glad to see animal cruelty prosecuted severely. First, because I am an animal lover. Secondly,because with legal leverage we can assess and often mandate psychological help as most people that are cruel to animals are also involved in domestic and child abuse. Most serial killers have had a history of animal torture or killing.
You've got to be kidding. Not about the animal torture (for which they should be horsewhipped), but about being devil worshippers. Beezlebub Supreme Chief? A kitten sacrifice?
Just wondering whether they got the idea from Harry Potter...or.......SATAN???
Just doing the Satanic animal sacrifice Americans won't do.
The Article doesnt mention wether these idiots are here legally they have spanish surnames my guess is they arent.
Shouldnt they also be charged with trespassing, vandalism
and having concealed weapons? My guess is because they are hispanics little if anything would be done to them, if they were White Satanists though they would probably be locked up for several thousand years!
They need to haul these idiots down to the city zoo and put em in a cage with the lions. Let em do their shamanistic cat thing with real cats...
Sounds like Santeria, though I think that it is from the Caribbean. This incident took place in California, so I'm assuming that the three men are of Mexican or Central American descent. Anyway, this is an example of how third world immigration does so-o-o much to enrich our society.
I hate cats.
What about the chickens? Are they okay?
I have a black cat - lithe, beautiful and dangerous. (laughing)
Paging Bastet...
I Hope they throw the Book at those Freaks! Thank God that poor little kitten was Rescued!