A 25-year-old woman faces animal cruelty charges in Brookhaven, Georgia, after a witness reported seeing three 8-week-old kittens thrown from a moving vehicle on Wednesday, Aug. 5.
Brookhaven police arrested Valentina Tobon Henao after witness Maria Stewart observed the incident, recorded the vehicle’s license plate, and alerted authorities. Stewart followed the Toyota Sienna to an intersection at Dresden Drive, photographed the vehicle, and called 911. Officers located Tobon Henao at a nearby business shortly after, where Stewart identified her to police.
One kitten died in the roadway following the incident. A second kitten survived with a dislocated tail and ear scratches, receiving veterinary treatment before being taken in by local resident Teri Eden, as reported by Atlanta News First.
“He was sedated yesterday, so I think that helped him get through the night,” Eden said. “I mean, he’s only eight weeks old and it’s a crazy world out there with coyotes and birds of prey.”
Police and community members continue to search for the third kitten, which remains missing. Search fliers have been posted.
“Once I realized what was happening in front of my very eyes, I couldn’t believe it,” Mara Stewart told the outlet. “I was sickened.”
Stewart added that she followed the vehicle, honked, and yelled at the driver until police could be notified. “I just saw red, and I just kept following her until we got stopped at a light at Dresden, and I took pictures of her car.”
Lt. Anthony Petron of the Brookhaven Police Department Criminal Investigations Unit urged the public to utilize proper animal care services rather than abandoning pets.
“This is something that is very sad and should not have happened,” Petron said. “They should not do something that’s inhumane of discarding an animal and do the proper thing of basically contacting animal control, a veterinary office, or even any other resource out there available that’s wanting to take in an animal.”
Tobon Henao was booked into the DeKalb County Jail on charges of cruelty to animals. DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office jail records indicate she was released on bond on Friday, Aug. 7.
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