Edward Long mugshot

Edward Long mugshot 

 via Macon County Jail

MACON, Ill. (WAND) — A Macon County man arrested on animal cruelty charges after being accused of killing three cats has been denied pretrial release. 

Edward Long, 42, is charged with aggravated animal cruelty. 

According to a sworn statement, Macon County Sheriff's deputies were sent to Macon County Animal Control on Wednesday after a woman dropped off two dead cats. 

She told deputies that she owned the property where Long was living and was suspicious that he killed the cats.

The sworn statement said he had previously mentioned doing so and knew he owned three cats. 

Macon County Sheriff's deputies arrested Long late Monday afternoon at a home in Macon. 

In the sworn statement, Long told deputies he shot the cats with a rifle and dumped them in a Macon County field. 

He said that he was being evicted and wasn't allowed to have pets at his new address. 

Long will remain in custody at the Macon County Jail. His preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 9. 

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