Levi Lyda is accused of beating his daughter's kitten to death at his ex-wife's home last month, police said. (St. Charles County Jail)
A Missouri man was charged on Tuesday with beating his daughter’s kitten to death while he was extremely intoxicated, police said.
Levi Lyda, 33, was charged with felony animal abuse, an upgraded charge since he was accused of the kitten’s death last month, FOX2 reported. Lyda allegedly told investigators he killed the kitten when he was drunk and did it to relieve his family of the burden of taking care of it.
“Our evidence indicates Mr. Lyda tortured or mutilated the animal while it was still alive,” St. Charles County Prosecutor Time Lohmar told FOX2.
Lyda’s ex-wife discovered the gruesome murder when she found drops of blood inside her home. The kitten’s lifeless body was laying in the backyard. Her ex-husband allegedly said, “I got rid of the cat.”
Lyda told investigators he drank a six-pack of beer and half a bottle of vodka before the incident. He added he couldn’t remember if he killed the kitten because he was extremely intoxicated.
“It appears the animal had broken bones, had a broken leg. There are pretty clear indications of blunt force trauma to the head,” Lohmar said.
Lyda faces two to four years in prison if convicted. His bail was set at $50,000 cash.
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