YULEE, Fla. — A Nassau County woman is in custody after deputies said she abused a kitten and intimidated customers near the entrance of a Target location.
Jasmin Tedrick, 26, was arrested on aggravated animal cruelty charges 1:59 p.m. Sunday.
A witness told deputies Tedrick was "slinging around a cat." The arrest report said, based on surveillance footage, Tedrick became frustrated and grabbed the kitten and threw it toward the street, but was prevented by the leash and collar causing it to stop abruptly midair and fall to the ground. Tedrick then grabs the leash and yanks the cat to the right and then back to the left, causing the animal to fly in the air.
The report said Tedrick threw a cup of water near a couple walking toward the store.
"While in control of the animal, (Tedrick) intentionally threw the animal around inflicting unnecessary pain and suffering to the animal," the report said.
The kitten has been named Bullseye and is now in the custody of Nassau County Animal Services and receiving appropriate care, the sheriff's office said.
"When I watched the video of this crazy person abusing this kitten it made me sick," Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper stated on social media. "We take cases of animal abuse very seriously, and cruelty to animals will not be tolerated in our community. Together, we can protect the vulnerable members of our community, both human and animal alike."
