A pastor from Arkansas, in the United States, was arrested after police found dead cats in his house, along with animal traps.
Charles Thessing, 63 years old, was arrested last week on two charges of aggravated animal cruelty for capturing and drowning cats.
Thessing’s house, where he served as a priest at St. Michael Church in West Memphis, was searched by the police. There, they found several animal traps and two dead cats.
The animals had been drowned in a water tank that the pastor had on his property. The investigation into the priest began after a report was filed with the West Memphis Animal Services.
“To see someone being actively cruel, to witness neglect, to see someone suffer in any way is not only heartbreaking and illegal but also shows how that person lives their life,” said Kerry Facello, director of WMAS.
“We were very fortunate that someone, a concerned citizen, brought the situation to our attention and we resolved it immediately.”
On Wednesday (12), the Diocese of Little Rock, represented by Anthony B Taylor, addressed the situation and confirmed that Thessing had been suspended while awaiting investigation.
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