22-Year-Old Man Accused of Kicking Cat Like Football Held on $50K Bond

Chicago - Police charged a South Side man with animal cruelty after officers say they watched him take a running start and kick a kitten 15-18 feet into the air before raising his arms to signal a successful field goal.

The Chicago Lawn District officers immediately arrested a laughing 22-year-old Percy Love of the 6500 block of South Maplewood Avenue after the Monday afternoon kick of the small black cat, police said.

He told the arresting officers: “This is my cat, Nightmare. He is tough, we play like that all the time. It’s just a cat,” police said.

Love was charged with one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty or the incident, which occurred in the 6200 block of South Campbell Avenue about 4:20 p.m. Monday, police said.

Officers cared for the cat until Animal Care and Control workers took custody of it. He was being treated at the Animal Care’s facility on the Southwest Side.

Animal Care and Control Director Cherie Travis said on her Facebook page that, “Despite the terrible abuse, the cat (who the defendant called “Nightmare”) is doing quite well. He’s in medical today getting an exam and x-rays. He is a very friendly and affectionate cat.”

Love was ordered held on $50,000 bond on Wednesday and his next hearing is Feb. 1 in South Misdemeanor Court at 51st and Wentworth, accoridng to the Cook County Sheriff’s office.