Editor’s Note: In the last few days, The Times has received a number of telephone calls from readers requesting an update on the cat burnings that took place in Brooks County in December 2008.
QUITMAN — Six months after the burnings of three cats in Brooks County, the teenager arrested for his alleged involvement remains out on bond.
Brooks County Sheriff Mike Dewey said that Cory Ward, 17, was released on bond March 20.
Public Information Officer Peggy Kimble said that Ward will go before a grand jury in Brooks County Superior Court during the first week in October for possible indictment.
“If he is indicted, he will be arraigned two weeks later and his trial may begin in November,” Kimble said.
Ward was arrested Monday, Feb. 2, in connection with the December 2008 deaths of two cats and the disfiguration of a third cat in the area of Eaglewood Estates Mobile Home Park on Troupeville Road. He is charged with aggravated animal cruelty, a felony that carries a penalty of one to five years in prison and a maximum fine of $15,000 plus restitution.
Ward became the primary suspect after several concerned citizens provided leads to the Brooks County Sheriff’s Office. Dewey said polygraph tests and various interviews led to the arrest.
The suspect also reportedly submitted a written statement describing how the cats were doused in gasoline and set on fire.
“He previously told us that he had no part in it and tried to pin it on someone else,” Dewey previously told The Times. “However, after interviewing the other person, we found that person had no involvement.”
When asked if Ward had given a motive, Dewey answered, “He said he was trying to get someone in trouble.”
Dewey also stated that the suspect has no history of criminal activity or mental illness.
About 10 a.m. on Dec. 20, 2008, Jim Ragan said that his cat, “Little Jim,” showed up on his porch severely burned.
After taking the feline to the veterinarian, Ragan returned home to find his other cat, “Blackie,” at home and suffering from third-degree burns.
Ragan said he thought the injuries could have been accidental until his neighbor’s cat showed up two days later in even worse shape than his two.
The third cat, “Fluffy,” was burned and had two broken legs.
“Fluffy” and “Little Jim” were taken to a University of Florida veterinary hospital where they later died.
Baytree Animal Hospital reported Wednesday that “Blackie” has continued to improve at home after undergoing an ample amount of surgery.
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