THE BRONX — A Belmont man accused of beating a cat with a shopping cart and lighting it on fire was sentenced to one year behind bars on Monday after pleading guilty to animal cruelty.
Ernesto Bailey, who appeared in court wearing jeans and a dark button down collared shirt, stood accused of hitting a cat several times with a shopping cart, squirted lighter fluid on the animal and lit it on fire in the summer of 2014 at 690 E. 182nd St., according to court documents.
Bailey told police that it was stupid of him to attack the cat but said it had been attacking him and his family.
"The cat came into my apartment, and it was scratching at me and my kids," he said. "I went outside for a smoke, and the cat jumped on my head, and as a reflex I threw it against the wall."
Bailey will spend a year in jail and have to sign up with an animal abuse registry for his crime, according to the Bronx District Attorney's Office.
Roberto Bonelli, an animal rights activist who had been closely following the case, said he was glad to see Bailey punished but felt the sentence was light.
"I was disappointed because, given the severity of the crime, given the barbarity of it, I was shocked that he was given one year," he said.
