By VICKIE JAMBON

Staff Reporter

BOUTTE – A 44-year-old Boutte man was arrested Tuesday at 2:15 p.m. for throwing two cats to the ground and stomping them to death.

Jesse William James, of 13572 Highway 90 Lot 25, Boutte, allegedly discarded the kittens in a nearby drainage ditch after killing them, reported the St. Charles Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Public Information Officer Capt. Patrick Yoes said James came to the sheriff’s office and spoke with Lt. Pamela Schmitt.

“He knew we were talking to people. He came to the office and met with Schmitt,” said Yoes.

James was charged with two counts of aggravated animal cruelty.

According to Yoes, each charge carries a fine no less than $5,000 and not more than $25,000 and/or a prison term of 1 to 10 years.

“Although the crime was committed approximately two weeks ago, we did not find out about the incident until Monday,” said Yoes. “That is when the Humane Society of Louisiana notified us.”

Judge Kirk Granier will be the presiding judge over the case, conveyed Yoes.

Yoes maintained James was released Tuesday after paying 10 percent of a $2,000 preset bond.

The Humane Society is offering a $500 reward to anyone willing to testify in the case, said Regional Director Jeff Dorson.

Dorson related that two kittens were rescued in the incident. He said the cats were sterilized and vaccinated. Each kitten may be adopted for $75.

The Humane Society of Louisiana is a licensed detective agency that specializes in solving animal abuse crimes.

Detectives, working for the agency, investigate cases and turn the findings over to local authorities for prosecution.

An abuse hotline is available. The phone number is (504) 365-0966.

There are presently over 120 abused animals housed in the Recovery Center for Abused Animals located on the west bank.