Nov. 21– NORTHUMBERLAND– A Northumberland resident claims he was attempting to frighten his next-door neighbor’s cat when he apparently shot and killed the animal on Nov. 10, according to Point Municipality Cops Department.
Frank Wicher, 61, of Spruce Hollow Roadway, was charged with a felony count of exacerbated ruthlessness to animals and a misdemeanor count of ruthlessness to animals. The charges were submitted by Point Municipality Patrolman Kevin Herring in the Milton workplace of District Judge Michael Diehl.
Bonny Johnson, of Roush Roadway, Northumberland, reported on Nov. 11 that she discovered her 2-year-old cat called Murphy dead in the woods with a bullet injury. Murphy was a black cat with a little spot of white hair under his chin, authorities reported.
Johnson informed authorities that Wicher approached her boy Kale Johnson on Nov. 10 and informed him that he thought he shot their cat, however could not make certain if the bullet struck the animal. This discussion triggered a look for Murphy for hours.
The cat was discovered a brief range into the woods near their lawn, authorities reported.
Johnson stated they buried Murphy beside their barn. Johnson’s 2 teenage children were “ravaged,” Johnson informed authorities.
Johnson informed authorities that Murphy was an indoor and outside cat who delighted in searching for mice. Johnson stated she was welcomed on the patio by the cat at 2 p.m. Nov. 10 and last saw the animal strolling into the woods, authorities stated.
Johnson stated she spoke to Wicher, who excused his supposed actions through text and a voicemail to Johnson and member of the family, authorities stated.
Herring had Murphy exhumed and examed by Dr. Kayann Busshaus, of the Furry Pals Animal Center in Northumberland. The medical professional discovered an entry and exit injury, and she figured out that the bullet went into Murphy’s side, pierced the lung and left through the opposite side of the body, authorities stated.
Murphy passed away from internal hemorrhaging triggered by a single gunshot injury, Busshaus figured out.
Busshaus eliminated a projective from Murphy’s side, simply behind the shoulder. The Pennsylvania Video game Commission figured out the projectile to be a. 22 quality round, according to authorities.
In an interview with Wicher, he apparently informed authorities he shot the cat in between 1 and 3 p.m. Nov. 10. He stated he planned to take “a pop chance at this cat to terrify it away,” according to authorities.
Wicher stated he held his sights roughly 12 inches over the top of the cat’s back when she shot. He stated he didn’t believe he strike the cat, authorities stated.
Asked if had any specific factor to contend the cat, Wicher stated, “No. I have actually been seeing it for a couple of months now, and I have actually seen it’s gotten a bunny currently,” according to court files.
Wicher revealed compassion and asked the officer to ask forgiveness to the Johnsons on his behalf, according to court files.
The officer took Wicher’s J.C. Higgins.22 quality rifle, according to authorities.
Wicher was set up in front of Diehl and published $30,000 unsecured bail on Nov. 15. He is arranged for an initial hearing at 9:45 a.m. Dec. 7.
