Police: Decatur man arrested for animal cruelty, attempted to set cat on fire

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - A 41-year-old man from Decatur was arrested on animal cruelty charges after police said he strangled a cat and attempted to set it on fire.

According to Decatur police, officers initially responded to a trespassing complaint involving 41-year-old Justin S. Shadwell, who had previously been banned from a property on East Grand Avenue, on Friday.

At approximately 1:04 p.m., officers were dispatched again, this time to the intersection of East Grand Avenue and North Woodford Street, following a report that Shadwell was seen strangling a cat.

Officers later located Shadwell in the 1600 block of East Grand Avenue, where he was found with the cat, which appeared to be deceased.

Upon locating Shadwell, he was observed swinging the dead animal and twirling it above his head.

Police said when they attempted to engage him in conversation, Shadwell made several delusional statements and refused repeated commands to place the cat on the ground.

Police said, Shadwell then attempted to burn the cat’s face with a small blowtorch-style lighter.

When an officer tried to arrest Shadwell, a physical struggle broke out in which Shadwell struck the officer.

Shadwell then fled on foot but was eventually captured in the 1700 block of East Locust Street with help from additional responding officers.

Police said, the cat exhibited noticeable external injuries and had a white fabric tied around its neck. The precise cause of death is still under investigation, pending the results of a necropsy.

Shadwell was booked into the jail on the charges of Aggravated Animal Cruelty, Aggravated Battery to a Peace Officer, Aggravated Resisting Obstructing a Peace Officer, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.

At this time no further information has been released.