The charge stemmed from a December 2023 incident in which Craig A. Hendricks claimed he had killed his cat on Dec. 12. During the investigation, Hendricks told an animal control officer that he killed his cat by placing the cat’s head in a doorway and deliberately slamming the door shut, saying he did this because the cat was trying to kill him.

The deceased cat was later recovered after Hendricks handed the officer a box he had stored in his freezer — inside that box was the cat.

This case was delayed after concerns were raised about Hendricks’ mental competency to stand trial. In criminal proceedings, competency refers to a defendant’s mental fitness to participate in legal proceedings, according to the county attorney’s office. A person is considered competent if they can understand the nature and purpose of the court proceedings and can assist in their own defense.

“Protecting the welfare of animals will remain a priority for our office,” Thompson said. “True justice extends beyond our citizens to include the voiceless. Those who commit crimes against our animals should be held accountable. A society fails when it is complicit in these acts.”

Hendricks is scheduled for sentencing on June 18.