Suspect caught on camera throwing injured cat into dumpster arrested
Man arrested for tossing injured cat into dumpster
The suspect's roommate came forward to identify him as the man seen on camera tossing the hurt cat into the dumpster.
ORANGE COUNTY, Calif. - A man who was caught on camera allegedly throwing an injured cat into a dumpster in Laguna Hills was arrested just hours after the video was released to the public, the city of Mission Viejo announced Wednesday evening.
What we know:
Surveillance video shows the individual discarding the cat in a dumpster near the 25000 block of Cabot Road in Laguna Hills Monday, March 10, around 7:20 p.m.
Animal Services said they were notified on Tuesday that someone had found the cat inside the dumpster, just minutes before the dumpster was scheduled for collection.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Video shows person throwing injured cat into dumpster
The cat, suffering from trauma, was immediately transported to a local animal hospital for evaluation and treatment.
Surveillance footage shows an individual exiting their vehicle, grabbing a white garbage bag, and discarding the cat on top of the garbage. The suspect then drives away.
What we don't know:
A picture of the suspect being arrested was released, but his identity was not disclosed.
What they're saying:
"Through our social media, the cat owner came forward and identified the man was her roommate seen in the video, and we conducted an investigation and have probable cause that the suspect was in violation of animal cruelty," said Mission Viejo Animal Services Supervisor Kyle Werner.
"The man was taken into custody with assistance of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. The City of Mission Viejo Animal Services is grateful to the media for its vast coverage and residents who stepped up to help this cat in need."
What's next:
The suspect is facing felony charges of animal cruelty.
The cat remains under veterinary care and is improving, officials said. She was examined by a leading forensic veterinarian and is receiving continued care at a partner hospital.
"BooBoo will eventually reunite with her loving owner, who was also a victim of this heinous crime. However, before that happens, MVAS will ensure that BooBoo is healthy, and our shelter is committed to her long-term safety."
They are also accepting donations to support the cat's recovery at dawg.org.
The Source: Information for this story is from a statement provided by officials with the City of Mission Viejo on March 12, 2025.