A 22-year-old Chicago resident, Thomas Martel, surrendered to authorities on Monday following accusations of torturing and killing at least four cats. He is now facing four felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty and two felony counts of animal torture.
According to an arrest report, Martel allegedly drowned, squeezed, and mutilated three kittens in his care. Disturbingly, all the kittens were named Shelly, with Martel reportedly replacing each deceased kitten with a new one bearing the same name.
During Martel's bail hearing on Tuesday, Judge Kelly McCarthy highlighted the concerning pattern of repeated animal abuse, stating, "We’re seeing a pattern of going back again and again… Killing an animal, going out and getting a replacement, kill that one, get a replacement, kill that one, get a replacement; and unfortunately, this was allowed to continue for a sustained period of time, and numerous animals lost their lives."
Police discovered three deceased kittens inside a bag at Martel's Wicker Park apartment. Martel's girlfriend, who filed the animal cruelty complaint against him, alleged that he microwaved the kittens before placing them in the bag. She also reported a foul odor emanating from his kitchen.
The girlfriend's initial awareness of the abuse stemmed from a video she received, purportedly showing Martel throwing a pillowcase containing a cat named Shelly into Lake Michigan. Later, she witnessed Martel drowning another kitten named Shelly while allegedly under the influence of alcohol and narcotics.
On the night of the arrest, Martel reportedly confessed to microwaving three kittens and concealing them in a bag. Prosecutors also revealed Martel's recent admission to his girlfriend that he had enjoyed killing cats since he was eight years old.
Judge McCarthy set Martel's bail at $7,500. The arrest report also indicates Martel's history of mental health issues and prescribed medication usage at the time of the arrest.
