St. Petersburg Man Used Hammer To Kill Cat, Police Say

By STEPHEN THOMPSON | The Tampa Tribune
Published: December 27, 2007

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ST. PETERSBURG - A 59-year-old St. Petersburg man was arrested Wednesday on charges he beat a cat to death by striking it on the head with a hammer five to seven times.

Douglas Michaud of 6824 16th St. N. was charged with one count of animal cruelty. The certified nursing assistant was taken to Pinellas County Jail, and bail was set at $10,000.

According to an arrest affidavit, witnesses say the cat appeared to be trying to get away as Michaud beat it with the hammer and that it appeared to be in agony. Michaud said it looked like the cat had been struck by a car and he wanted to put it out of its misery, the affidavit states.

Reporter Stephen Thompson can be reached at (727) 451-2336 or spthompson@tampatrib.com.