By Shereen Siewert | Wausau Pilot & Review
A 17-year-old Wausau boy who intentionally mutilated and disfigured a cat belonging to a family member will spend one year on probation, after reaching a plea deal in the case.
Mikhi J. Turner was tried as an adult on a charge of animal mistreatment causing death, filed in October in Marathon County Circuit Court. In Wisconsin, 17-year-old defendants are treated as adults in the court system.
Last week, Turner pleaded no contest to a reduced charge of animal mistreatment and was granted a withheld sentence, during which time he will be placed on probation. Circuit Judge Rick Cveykus also ordered a mental health evaluation and ruled Turner can have no unsupervised contact with domestic animals.
An investigation began Oct. 15, when officers were dispatched to a home on North Second Avenue in Wausau for a report of animal abuse. The cat was bleeding from the mouth, was shaking and had hair missing from its head. Police say the cat’s jaw was injured and the animal’s eye was filled with blood, while two spots on the cat’s head extending from above the eyes to the ears on both side showed hair had been removed.
A photograph of the cat from earlier in the day showed the animal was in good condition before its owner left for the day, with Turner remaining in the home. Police say Turner admitted hitting the cat “more than a couple times.”
In a withheld sentence, Turner can face additional penalties including time behind bars if he does not follow the rules of his supervision.
No restitution was requested, according to online court records.
