A Costa Rican court on Monday sentenced a man to a two-year suspended prison sentence for causing the death of his cat, Ochi.
The 31-year-old defendant received the maximum sentence authorized by the law on animal welfare, in force since 2017 in the country.
He is also now prohibited from living with animals.
He was given a reprieve, however, so he will only go to jail if he commits a new crime within five years.
A fatal fall despite treatment
The facts judged occurred in November 2019. The thirties had thrown his cat from the sixth floor of an apartment building, a fall of nearly 30 m.
The investigation was only opened in August 2020 when video of the scene went viral on social media.
After the fall, the cat was able to reach a park where it was found.
He died despite the help that was brought to him.
According to the autopsy, the animal suffered from multiple fractures, a dislocation, pulmonary contusions and internal bleeding due to shock.
Legislation moving forward in South America
This is the second criminal conviction for violence against animals in Costa Rica.
In Argentina, at least three people have received suspended prison sentences for killing dogs in recent years.
In Brazil, on October 13, a police officer was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison and a fine for having killed a dog on the public highway.
In Peru, a man was also sentenced to two and a half years in prison in November 2017, for killing a cat, the first such sentence in the country.
Company
Limoges: Twelve dogs saved by the SPA after being left to fend for themselves
Miscellaneous facts
Angers: A dog found dead at the bottom of a building, a woman suspected of having hit him with a broomstick
Cat
Fall
Costa Rica
Jail
Abuse
Animals
Animal cruelty
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