Cat killer gets jail time, probation

The Liberty Gleaner, August 2004

On July 11, Matt Kaczorowski pleaded guilty to one count of cruelty to animals and one count of mischief, and was sentenced to time served plus a day (he spent four months in jail awaiting trial) and three years probation for his role in the death of a cat in May 2001. Under Kaczorowski's probation conditions, he cannot possess animals or visit Toronto, and must perform community service. The killing of the cat, which has been named Kensington by Kensington-based animal rights group Freedom for Animals (FFA), took 17 minutes and was videotaped for an art project. FFA co-founder Suzanne Lahaie says the group is seeking legal advice about whether to appeal the outcome of Kaczorowski's case. The group plans to continue to hold memorials for the cat and is also pushing the federal government to adopt Bill C-10B, which would ensure stiffer punishment for people who abuse animals.