Queens, New York – A sickening crime in Queens claimed the life of an innocent cat named Kitty. Kitty, who belonged to the girlfriend of 23-year-old Jalen Gonzalez, suffered one of the most gruesome, gut-wrenching deaths imaginable. A crime so horrific that Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said, “This animal endured one of the most gratuitously violent deaths that we have ever seen in the borough of Queens.”
Before proceeding with the details of this case, a word of warning – this is graphic and hard to read.
According to DA Katz, Gonzalez was “upset” with his girlfriend and turned his anger to her cat. In a news release, Katz said, “The cat was stretched to the point where her head was severed from her spine, and she sustained a crushed skull, fractured jaw, and numerous other injuries.”
But the extent of Kitty’s injuries is more than being stretched to death. The forensic necropsy shows the catastrophic injuries Kitty suffered at Gonzalez’s hands:
The DA’s news release recounts the details of the investigation:
DA Katz said that, according to the charges and investigation, just after midnight on January 12, the defendant and his girlfriend, who was also a co-worker, were in the woman’s residence. Gonzalez allegedly became inebriated and refused to leave the home. The defendant then grabbed the woman’s leg and squeezed it. The woman pulled herself away, left the apartment, and called a relative for help.
When the woman returned to her apartment with her uncle, Gonzalez was observed holding the woman’s cat by her neck and hind leg. The defendant was allegedly stretching the animal apart.
Kitty’s back legs were mangled and broken, and the animal had blood on her mouth, head, and body. Gonzalez’s shirt was saturated with blood, and both blood spatter and vomit were present on the ceiling, walls and floor of the room.
Amazingly, despite the extraordinarily violent nature of this crime, Gonzalez was released because, under New York law, what he did to Kitty is not considered a violent crime. Crimes involving direct harm or threats to people, like armed robbery or serious assault, are classified as violent and allow judges to set bail. But even extreme acts of animal cruelty are not classified the same way under current law.
On March 31, Gonzalez was arraigned on charges including aggravated animal cruelty, criminal mischief, attempted assault, and harassment. Because these offenses are not bail‑eligible under New York law, he was released and ordered to return to court on July 21. If convicted, he faces up to two years in jail.
We call on New York State lawmakers to reclassify aggravated animal cruelty in cases of extreme violence, or otherwise amend bail eligibility laws, so judges have the authority to detain defendants who pose a clear risk. No judge should be legally required to release someone accused of extreme, intentional violence.
The purpose of this petition is two-fold. We want Gonzalez to face the maximum sentence for his charges, and we want to see broad reform of the New York law that allowed him to walk free. Please sign now. Get Justice for Kitty and help Animal Victory push for broad reform to have cruel incidents like this be considered “extreme violence” under the law.
Assistant District Attorney Katira Campos of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Bureau is prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Nicole Reid, Interim Section Chief of the Animal Cruelty Prosecutions Unit, and Assistant District Attorney Mary Kate Quinn, Bureau Chief of the Domestic Violence Bureau, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for Special Prosecutions Joyce A. Smith.
For broad reform, Animal Victory is targeting:
Kitty suffered an unthinkable and prolonged act of violence, yet the law treats this as a non-violent offense. When brutality of this magnitude does not result in immediate consequences, it sends a dangerous message. We demand maximum accountability and urgent legal reform.
Note: In New York, mugshots are generally not released to the public. State policies restrict the publication of booking photos to protect due process and prevent misuse before a person has been convicted. As a result, even in serious cases like this, official images of the defendant are often not publicly available. He pleaded not guilty. Then he walked free. Under New York law, animal cruelty is not bail-eligible. Maximum sentence: two years. Our attorney has confirmed a new bill, S.9231, is before the NY Senate to change this. We are fighting to see it passed. More information on the new bill here.
Animal Protection Laws New York
News
Based on reports from authorities, details may change. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Images may be illustrative.
Whether it’s a one-time or monthly gift, you will provide the support needed for abused children seeking justice as well as the help needed to raise the bar for animal welfare in the courtroom.
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Whether it’s a one-time or monthly gift, you will provide the support needed for abused animals seeking justice as well as the help needed to raise the bar for animal welfare in the courtroom.
Be their CHAMPION today.
Whether it’s a one-time or monthly gift, you will provide the support needed for abused animals seeking justice as well as the help needed to raise the bar for animal welfare in the courtroom.
Be their CHAMPION today.
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