Teen Suspect Arrested in Fla. Cat Killings

Murders spawned 1,000-member Facebook group

By Drew Nelles, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 14, 2009 5:00 PM CDT

(Newser) – Miami police arrested a teenager today in connection with a high-profile series of cat-killings, the Miami Herald reports. Accused of mutilating and killing more than a dozen cats, Tyler Hayes Weinman, 18, was charged with animal cruelty, improperly disposing of an animal body, and burglary. Residents alerted police to Weinman, whose divorced parents live in the two areas where cat murders occurred.

"Horrific and unspeakable slaughterings of many of their beloved feline pets" have put residents "on edge," the state attorney said. “I sincerely hope that with his arrest, the residents will feel relieved and their cats will be safe once again." Weinman had even joined a 1,000-member Facebook group called "Catch the Cat Killer!"

[Images (4)]

[Quotes (1)]

Alicia Glatzer holds a family photo of one her cats, Sarah, Tuesday, June 9, 2009 in her south Miami home. Sarah is one of many cats that has been killed in the area. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

Thomas Shad displays photos of his former cat, Miss Kitty, Sunday, June 14, 2009 in his Miami home. A 18 year-old-suspect has been arrested in the recent cat killings. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

A sign hangs on a street sign in south Miami, Tuesday, June 9, 2009 warning owners of cats to keep them inside after a series of cat killings. (AP Photo/J Pat Carter)

In this police mug photo released by the Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office, Tyler Weinman, 18, is shown after his arrest in connection with a series of cat killings and mutilations. (AP Photo/Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office)

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Our communities of Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay have been on edge for many weeks now because of the horrific and unspeakable slaughterings of many of their beloved feline pets. - State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle

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COMMENTS

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Showing 3 of 24 comments

39spathx

Sep 7, 2010 3:32 AM CDT

Remember the face and name folks, Tyler Hayes Weinman, this is how serial killers start. They torture poor innocent, helpless, voiceless victims, then when they lose fun in torturing animals they decide to move on to humans. This is why it is so important not to just give a slap on the wrist to these monsters, but to punish them to the fullest extent. This piece of garbage needs to have the same things done to him that he did to those poor animals only it should be done much slower to him, so he can know their agony.

39spathx

Sep 7, 2010 3:24 AM CDT

I wish people would keep a closer eye on their pets it might prevent a scum like this from getting close to their animals. I hate when people make excuses for this behavior by saying he was just bored or that he's a good kid.

39spathx

Sep 7, 2010 3:03 AM CDT

Sick guy, I hope he doesn't get a slap on the wrist.

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Florida • killer • animal cruelty • teenager • mutilation • cats

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Teen Suspect Arrested in Fla. Cat Killings