Lawrence, Mass. An adorable kitten named 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐚 is lucky to be alive after being tortured by her owner, 52-year-old Eloy Nunez. According to the authorities, witnesses heard him striking the two-month-old kitten with a pole or stick and heard her crying in pain.

Police began to investigate the abuse allegations after Nunez’s neighbors went to the rooming house manager to report their concerns. A review of surveillance footage from February 10 showed Nunez carrying the kitten by the scruff of her neck; she appeared to be “lifeless or unconscious.” The video also showed him “violently and deliberately shaking” the kitten.

After reviewing the footage, a Lawrence police officer contacted Nunez by phone and he agreed to meet with the police on February 15. But on February 15, Animal Control Officer Bistany responded to Haffner’s Gas Station because someone reported that a kitten had been abandoned in a cardboard box.

The cat matched the description of the cat in the video surveillance footage. A police report outlines the condition of the abandoned kitten:

The cat could not use its hind legs and was struggling to lay upright. It was visibly trembling from the cold — it was 34 degrees at the time.

The abandoned kitten was taken to a veterinary hospital where an exam revealed, “neurological damage caused by blunt force trauma or oxygen loss.” According to the report, “the cat was also unable to use its hind legs and due to its injuries, could have potentially needed to be euthanized.”

The rooming house manager “adamantly confirmed” that the injured and abandoned kitten was the same kitten that Nunez had been observed abusing. Police were able to review additional video footage from February 15 and it showed Nunez “leaving his room with the same brown box” that the abandoned kitten was found in.

Police were able to question Nunez after finding the kitten and the man admitted that he had hit the kitten in the head and abandoned her outside of the gas station.

Nunez is facing charges of animal cruelty and tampering with evidence. If you are disgusted by this abuse, please add your name to the petition and help us fight for this man to be held fully accountable for his abhorrent treatment of this fragile, gentle kitten! Animal Victory does NOT want him to receive a paltry plea deal.

We the undersigned demand that Eloy Nunez is held responsible for repeatedly abusing a two-month-old kitten. We are petitioning for Nunez to receive the maximum punishment allowable by law for his charges of animal cruelty and tampering with evidence. At sentencing, we also hope to see Nunez prohibited from owning or residing with animals in the future. 

Note: The kitten suffered a broken jaw, but she survived! Sweet Paws Rescue has taken her in and she is recuperating in a foster home. The rescue agency is disgusted by the cruelty she suffered at Nunez’s hands, and they want to see her abuser punished for his appalling behavior. We need your help to show the judge that we care about animal welfare. We care about this kitten and we want to see her abuser behind bars!

Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.

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WCVB

Update August 7, 2023: Animal Victory sent cover letter and petition to the DA.

Update July 28, 2023: Animal Victory has learned that Nunez is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 14, 2023 (Lawrence District Court).

May 12, 2023: Animal Victory sent cover letter and petition to the judge.