A DeFuniak Springs man is arrested after a dead cat is found on his property in Walton County.
On Tuesday, July 29th, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office was called to a residence on W Violet Lane following a report of animal abuse.
A neighbor reported smelling a foul odor coming from the trash can placed out early by the road. The caller stated they had observed numerous cat traps in the area and discovered a dead cat in a trash can by the road.
When deputies arrived, they noticed two armed and baited animal traps outside the property’s fence line, between the entry gate and the road. Inside the trash can, which was still by the road, deputies observed a dead cat in a trash bag, covered in blood and with what appeared to be a large and swollen contusion on the side of its head.
Deputies contacted Richard Steven Taylor, 64, via phone as his fence prevented them from entering the property and asked him about the traps. Taylor told deputies he has been putting traps out for the last 10 years to catch feral cats, and he “kills the ***damn things when [he] catches them.”
Taylor became increasingly agitated while talking to deputies and described how he was allowed to do so since the cats are pests. Deputies asked Taylor to come out and speak with them in person. For the next several minutes, Taylor berated deputies using profanity, calling them names, and making threats.
Deputies explained to Taylor he was being placed under arrest and ordered him to exit the fence. He refused to do so several times, stating he wouldn’t come out until he got to put some clothes on (he was in his underwear).
Taylor was charged with aggravated animal cruelty causing death, threatening a first responder with physical harm, and obstruction without violence. He was transported and booked into the Walton County Jail and was later released on a $21,000 bond.
