Crime & Safety
McHenry Man Gets Probation For Beating, Seriously Injuring Two Cats In McHenry
A judge has sentenced a former McHenry man to probation after he took a plea deal in a case.
By Sam Borcia, Lake & McHenry County Scanner
A judge has sentenced a former McHenry man to probation after he took a plea deal in a case where he was charged with beating two cats and seriously injuring them.
Nicholas Martins-Leshinski, 22, of Monona, Iowa, was charged in December 2021 with two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, two counts of cruelty to animals and violation of animal owner duties.
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A grand jury indictment said Martins-Leshinski intentionally committed an act that caused “serious injury to and/or the death” of a companion animal on September 18, 2021.
Martins-Leshinski caused blunt force trauma to the animal, a cat named Winky, the indictment said.
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The indictment said Martins-Leshinski also caused blunt force trauma to another companion animal, a cat named Dispy, on the same day. That cat was also seriously injured.
Martins-Leshinski was accused of beating, cruelly treating, tormenting and abusing the two cats, the indictment said.
The indictment said the man failed to provide veterinary care when needed to prevent Dipsy from suffering.
The case was investigated by the McHenry Police Department.
A warrant was issued for Martins-Leshinski, who lived in McHenry at the time, over three months after the incident occurred.
He processed on the warrant at the Kane County Jail and released after posting 10% of a $10,000 bond.
Court records show Martins-Leshinski pleaded guilty to one count of animal cruelty, a Class A misdemeanor, in exchange for all of his charges being dismissed.
McHenry County Judge James Cowlin approved the plea on Thursday and sentenced Martins-Leshinski to two years of probation and 40 hours of public service.
Martins-Leshinski will not be allowed to have any contact with any pets during his probation.
Lake and McHenry County Scanner is a local breaking news website covering issues that matter such as shootings, stabbings, house fires, kidnappings, car accidents, and more around Lake County and McHenry County.
