Video Captures Suspect Throwing, Injuring Cat Named 'Mittens': Police

RYE BROOK, NY — A Port Chester man has been arrested after his cruel actions led to an animal being injured in Westchester County, according to police.

SPCA Westchester announced on Wednesday that their Humane Law Enforcement Unit (HLE), under the direction of Ernest Lungaro, in a joint investigation with the Rye Brook Police Department, arrested Anthony Lopez, of Port Chester, and charged him with animal cruelty.

SPCA Westchester's HLE Unit received a call on its confidential cruelty hotline about a young cat named Mittens who had been violently thrown by Lopez at a home in Rye Brook.

A video captured the cat being grabbed and thrown across the front yard two times during an argument.

SPCA Westchester says that Mittens has since received proper medical care from a veterinarian, including treatment for a laceration she received on her head.

"The video depicting the abuse of this cat was very disturbing," Shannon Laukhuf, SPCA Westchester's CEO, said. "We’re relieved that she is now safe and receiving the care she needs. The SPCA is committed to preventing the abuse and neglect of animals whenever it occurs."

If you witness or suspect an animal is being neglected or abused, you are asked to call the SPCA's confidential animal cruelty hotline at 914-941-7797.

The disturbing video of the incident can be viewed here: