WATCH: 75-year-old Ottavio Pio Marchesan has been formally charged with two counts of animal cruelty after he allegedly strangled three cats and threw them in the garbage. Sarah Offin reports.
Warning: This story contains graphic details that some readers may find disturbing. Discretion is advised.
CALGARY – A 75-year-old man has been charged after he allegedly strangled as many as three kittens and threw them in a southeast Calgary garbage bin.
Police say two kittens were found dead, but one was able to escape, after a utility worker came upon the incident and tried to intervene. The animals were found on Monday at about 9:45 a.m. in the 2800 block of 14 Avenue S.E.
The young black cat was last seen by an Enmax worker who saved it from the dumpster, but it’s likely in “extreme medical distress,” according to police.
Anyone who lives in the area should check their properties for the missing cat, who police say did not belong to the suspect, and take it to the nearest veterinarian or call police.
Police also found a number rabbits living in what investigators called “deplorable conditions” in cages in the backyard of the suspect’s home. Many have since been turned over to the Calgary Humane Society.
“Apparently the backyard where the rabbits were kept is in an absolute disaster state. It’s deplorable,” said Staff Sgt. Travis Baker. “There’s feces. Several of the animals–the rabbits–are in such medical distress that they’ll be taken and examined quite thoroughly.”
Police say the man was raising the rabbits to eat, which attracted the cats to the backyard. The suspect then allegedly strangled the cats as a result.
Ottavio Pio Marchesan has been charged with two counts of animal cruelty.
He is scheduled to appear in court on August 20.
The Calgary Humane Society is continuing to investigate and may lay additional charges.
They say an additional three rabbits were seized on Monday night, and they are anticipating they will seize an additional four – bringing the total number rescued to 21.
With files from Tony Tighe, Doug Vaessen and Sarah Offin
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