A Summit County man is facing felony charges after authorities say he mutilated several newborn kittens and threw their severed tails at a woman during a disturbing encounter on Friday.
Deputies with the Summit County Sheriff’s Office responded to East Turkeyfoot Lake Road in the City of Green on the afternoon of April 11 for reports of a suspicious person and a verbal dispute.
When deputies arrived, they identified the suspect as Bret Stalnaker, 57, of Green. Investigators say Stalnaker lives in a van on the property where the incident occurred.
According to the sheriff’s office, Stalnaker had earlier gotten into a verbal altercation with a female resident. The woman took shelter in a detached garage, where she later received threatening text messages from Stalnaker. The messages allegedly stated his intent to harm a litter of kittens that had been born just nine days prior. He also claimed he would cut the tails off the kittens and their mother.
Moments later, Stalnaker reportedly approached the garage and threw a container at the woman that held the tails of three kittens.
Deputies located Stalnaker in his van and ordered him to exit. When he got out, authorities say he had an object in his hand, which he then threw. It was later identified as a loaded .45-caliber handgun. Deputies arrested Stalnaker without further incident.
He was charged with felony animal cruelty and taken to the Summit County Jail. Additional charges may follow pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
The injured kittens were taken to a local veterinary clinic, where they are currently recovering.
