An Ottawa man faces three charges of animal cruelty after a cat belonging to his girlfriend suffered a fractured jaw and head trauma.
The Ottawa Humane Society said Thursday that investigators have charged a 38-year-old man following an investigation.
In October, a woman brought her two-and-a-half-year-old cat, Petunia, to an Orleans veterinary clinic.
The cat had suffered fractured jaw, trauma to the back of the mouth, and bruising around the eyes. A veterinary examination confirmed that the animal’s injuries were the result of blunt force trauma to the head area, and not the result of an accident or fall. The cat had surgery to repair the jaw and was released.
The cat’s owner claimed her boyfriend had caused the animal’s injuries. OHS investigators contacted the man in November and were referred to his lawyer.
Following discussions with the Crown attorney’s office, OHS investigators charged the suspect with three counts of animal cruelty under the Criminal Code, including causing an animal unnecessary pain, injury and suffering on Feb. 23.
David Cain appears in Ottawa court on March 30. He faces maximum penalties of a $10,000 fine or five years in prison.
