Sign: Man Torches Shed, Killing Girlfriend’s 10 Cats Who Were Trapped Inside

Published: April 22, 2026 at 01:16 PM Author: Penny Eims

Springfield, Missouri – A 23-year-old Springfield man is facing an arson charge, and a felony animal cruelty charge, for intentionally burning down a shed where his girlfriend’s cats were held. Tragically, the blaze killed all ten cats. Cats who were trapped, with no way to escape to smoke and flames. Cats who suffered horrific deaths. On April 9, Springfield Police arrested Aiden Kinnee and booked him into the Greene County Jail.

Kinnee admitted to the crime, acknowledging that he KNEW the cats were in the shed. Charging documents state, “The defendant purposely caused injury or suffering to Victim 1’s cats which was the result of torture consciously inflicted while the animals were alive.”

The reality of what these cats suffered inside the burning shed is hard to read. KY3 News reports,

“Nine of the ten cats were removed from the shed, and each exhibited varying degrees of fire-related injuries. The tenth cat could not be separated from its crate, as the plastic crate had deformed from heat exposure and solidified onto the cat.”

Kinnee didn’t act in the heat of the moment. He made a calculated decision at the suggestion of a friend to set fire to a shed he knew was home to his girlfriend’s ten cats. He knew they were inside. He knew they couldn’t escape. He lit the match anyway. Ten cats burned to death because of a choice he made. If you believe that kind of deliberate cruelty deserves real consequences, add your name now and help Animal Victory demand justice!

Decision Maker: Greene County Prosecutor’s Office

Why This Petition Matters

Aiden Kinnee made a deliberate decision to kill ten innocent cats belonging to his girlfriend by burning down the shed where they were living, causing them unimaginably cruel deaths. These cats suffered an inhumane and painful fate because of Kinnee’s actions. We demand that he face the maximum penalty allowed by law for the charges stemming from this incident. We further demand that he be prohibited from owning or living with animals in the future.

What Aiden Kinnee did cannot be undone, but accountability still matters. This case absolutely cannot be dismissed or result in a slap-on-the-wrist sentence.

Missouri Animal Welfare Laws

Note: Kinnee’s girlfriend was living in the shed, with her cats. She was not present when the fire was started.

News

KY3

Springfield Daily Citizen

KYTV

Based on reports from authorities, details may change. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Images may be illustrative.

Update 5/06/2026: Preliminary hearing scheduled for 05/22/2026 at 11:00 a.m. before Judge J RONALD CARRIER. Defendant Aiden Louis Kinnee, Case #2631-CR01478 is still being held in custody.

Update 4/24/2026: The Aiden Kinnee case is still under active investigation. The Case #26-07689 (this is the Report Number for the Springfield Police Department). Fire Marshall Travis Morrissey has taken over the investigation at this time.