An Alabama man was arrested after he allegedly threw five kittens out of his car while driving on a busy highway.
The Homewood Police Department announced in a news release via Facebook on Sunday, May 31, that they received multiple reports regarding a person throwing kittens from a moving vehicle while driving on I-65 around 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 30.
Authorities managed to stop the car and identified the man inside his vehicle as Thomas Ronald Liccione.
“Officers stopped the vehicle and detained the driver,” the news release stated. “Tragically, all five of the kittens were struck and killed on the interstate by other vehicles.”
An investigation was launched into the matter and Liccione, 21, was arrested for aggravated cruelty to animals. He was then taken into custody at Jefferson County Jail and was held on a $15,000 bond, according to police.
It appears that Liccione has since been released, as he is not currently listed on the Jefferson County Jail’s inmate search.
“The Homewood Police Department takes animal abuse and cruelty calls very seriously,” police continued in the release. “We would like to sincerely thank the witnesses and motorists who contacted Homewood 911 and provided information to Homewood Police Officers on scene.”
In addition to sharing details of his arrest, the police department also uploaded a photo of Liccione’s mugshot. He donned a serious expression as he looked straight into the camera.
The investigation into the case remains ongoing.
It is not currently clear if Liccione has entered a plea or retained legal counsel following his arrest. The Homewood Police Department did not immediately respond to Us Weekly’s request for comment regarding the case.
In the state of Alabama, those found guilty of aggravated cruelty to animals can be sentenced to serve between one and 10 years in prison and might have to pay a fine of up to $15,000, according to Alabama Animals Advocates.
In order to be found guilty of the charge, it must be proven that the defendant was intentionally torturing an animal by inflicting prolonged pain, gross physical abuse or severe injury, according to Michigan State University’s Animal Legal & Historical Center. The crime is classified as a Class C felony.
If you know of or suspect animal abuse or neglect, you are urged to contact the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals through their website or call your local animal control officer.
