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03-16-08, 12:07 PM
By NICK WERNER
MUNCIE -- A man who police said forced his 7-year-old daughter to stab the family cat surrendered on Thursday.
Danield John Collins, 39, 2801 S. Elm St., was jailed on preliminary charges of animal cruelty,
battery on a juvenile, and two counts of neglect of a dependent, all Class D felonies carrying
standard 18-month prison terms.
The cat, an 8-month old "tuxedo-type" cat named Boots, died as a result of the attack last
weekend, according to investigating officer Jami L. Brown of the Muncie Police Department.
"There's a lack of concern and lack of sensitivity for someone who does this to a helpless animal," Brown said.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Collins' daughter and his 11-year-old son told police that
their dad wanted them to "learn how to kill."
In an attempt to convince his father he stabbed the animal, the son reportedly put ketchup on the
knife and hid the cat while his father went to the bathroom.
Eventually, however, Collins found the cat.
The children reported witnessing their father strangle and stab the cat. Furthermore, the children
said, Collins forced the daughter to stab the cat.
Lt. Al Williams said police did not know exactly when during the torture process the cat died and
that several of its injuries would have been fatal on their own.
Collins told police had had been drinking while his children were visiting and doesn't remember
much about what happened, Brown said.
Collins told Brown he was an alcoholic, but that he did not have an anger problem.
The case came to light on Monday 10, when Collins' two children relayed the story to their
grandparents, who contacted police.
The children live with the grandparents and SOurcesvisiting their father when the cat attack happened.
Collins was being held in the Delaware County jail on Friday under a $40,000 bond.
The Humane Society of the United States issued a press release Friday saying it had written
Delaware County Prosecutor Mark McKinney, calling for aggressive investigation and prosecution.
Collins was charged Feb. 29 with driving while intoxicated.
That case is still pending in Muncie City Court, where Collins pleaded guilty to public intoxication
last September, drawing $560 in fines and court costs and an order to perform 40 hours of
community service.
Sources (http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5i7LFEVYQlLjdKNm4Uyb-MIvkkEaA)
MUNCIE -- A man who police said forced his 7-year-old daughter to stab the family cat surrendered on Thursday.
Danield John Collins, 39, 2801 S. Elm St., was jailed on preliminary charges of animal cruelty,
battery on a juvenile, and two counts of neglect of a dependent, all Class D felonies carrying
standard 18-month prison terms.
The cat, an 8-month old "tuxedo-type" cat named Boots, died as a result of the attack last
weekend, according to investigating officer Jami L. Brown of the Muncie Police Department.
"There's a lack of concern and lack of sensitivity for someone who does this to a helpless animal," Brown said.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Collins' daughter and his 11-year-old son told police that
their dad wanted them to "learn how to kill."
In an attempt to convince his father he stabbed the animal, the son reportedly put ketchup on the
knife and hid the cat while his father went to the bathroom.
Eventually, however, Collins found the cat.
The children reported witnessing their father strangle and stab the cat. Furthermore, the children
said, Collins forced the daughter to stab the cat.
Lt. Al Williams said police did not know exactly when during the torture process the cat died and
that several of its injuries would have been fatal on their own.
Collins told police had had been drinking while his children were visiting and doesn't remember
much about what happened, Brown said.
Collins told Brown he was an alcoholic, but that he did not have an anger problem.
The case came to light on Monday 10, when Collins' two children relayed the story to their
grandparents, who contacted police.
The children live with the grandparents and SOurcesvisiting their father when the cat attack happened.
Collins was being held in the Delaware County jail on Friday under a $40,000 bond.
The Humane Society of the United States issued a press release Friday saying it had written
Delaware County Prosecutor Mark McKinney, calling for aggressive investigation and prosecution.
Collins was charged Feb. 29 with driving while intoxicated.
That case is still pending in Muncie City Court, where Collins pleaded guilty to public intoxication
last September, drawing $560 in fines and court costs and an order to perform 40 hours of
community service.
Sources (http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ncl=http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5i7LFEVYQlLjdKNm4Uyb-MIvkkEaA)