Cambridge man charged with animal cruelty after allegedly swinging cat by its tail

According to the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell Medical Center, a Cambridge man was charged with animal cruelty after he allegedly repeatedly smashed a cat on the ground while swinging it by its tail.

According to court documents, Jaydan Depina entered a not guilty plea on Tuesday to two charges of animal cruelty. Later this week, he is expected to appear in court again for a dangerousness hearing.

According to a news statement from MSPCA-Angell, an anonymous information about the cat was sent to Cambridge Animal Control on July 15.

According to MSPCA Law Enforcement Director Chris Schindler, the individual claimed that a cat had been mistreated behind a Cambridge apartment complex. After our investigation, we discovered what appears to be video of the cat falling from a higher floor, after which the defendant appears to swing him by his tail, repeatedly slam him on the ground, and then bring him back inside.

Depina was recognized by MSPCA as the person who allegedly mistreated Sage, a domestic shorthair cat that was one year old. Sage reportedly had lung contusions and a broken tail when he was turned over to MSPCA on July 21.

A request for comment was not immediately answered by Depina’s attorney.

According to the announcement, Sage’s MRI also revealed previous toe and rib fractures that occurred at least a month ago and are consistent with abuse.

According to Schindler, Sage was taken to Angell after reportedly falling from a building around the end of last year. He broke both his toes and the roof of his mouth, but at that stage there was no reason to assume brutality.

The MSPCA commended the individual who reported Sage to Cambridge Animal Control anonymously and urged others to follow suit if they have any suspicions of animal abuse.

According to Schindler, we have to handle cruelty allegations in all 351 municipalities in Massachusetts, and our law enforcement team isn’t that large. As was the case with Sage, we rely heavily on people reporting problems to us or to their local police and animal control authorities.

Sage was quiet and reserved, according to MSPCA staff who were caring for him, but he has apparently flourished under their supervision.

Without the amazing efforts of those who treat and care for him, it would not have been possible to see him become social, joyful, and loving, Schindler added.