A video uploaded to Facebook shows a man dumping hot water on this cat. (Facebook)
A North Carolina man suspected of dumping a boiling pot of water on a cat in a viral Facebook video who became the target of the Internet’s outrage on Thursday was not the alleged culprit, police say.
Despite police in North Carolina searching for a suspect on Thursday, the incident happened in Chicago. Police have charged 18-year-old Leon Teague with felony animal torture, the Chicago Tribune reports.
The name “Daquan Smith” circulated on social media. His address and other personal information was published by enraged animal lovers, and a Twitter account was set-up to details about him. It’s not clear if the North Carolina resident, who deleted his Facebook page, reposted the video.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. The Disturbing Video Shows Water Boiling on a Stove Before Being Dumped Out of a Window on the Cat
The video, which you can watch above, was posted on Facebook on Wednesday and has since been deleted.
In the video, the man can be seen boiling the pot of water on a stove. He then tells someone off screen to “open the window.” A white and brown cat can is heard meowing and then is seen at the window. The man says, “b*tch move, move,” and “get the f**k down!”
The man or a woman off camera begins making kissing noises toward the cat, which is near a litter box outside the window on a deck. The splash of the boiling water hitting the cat and deck can be heard and the cat cries out, racing around the deck. The man then tells the cat not to come back while the cat’s cries can be heard in the distance.
2. The Facebook Post With the Video Said ‘I Feel Bad for the Cat but You Gotta Do What You Gotta Do’
In the video, the man then tells the cat not to come back while the cat’s cries can be heard in the distance.
The caption on the now-deleted post said “I feel bad for the cat but you gotta do what you gotta do.”
3. The Wounded Cat’s Condition Isn’t Known
(Facebook)
The cat’s condition is not known, but it was not killed. In the video, the cat can be seen running off of the deck while screeching after being hit by the water.
Police told the Chicago Tribune the cat was last seen alive in the area of South Kind Drive, but ran off when officers tried to catch it.
4. Police In Several North Carolina Towns & Counties Were Involved in the Investigation
(Facebook)
Police departments in North Carolina received hundreds of complaints about the video after it was rumored that it was recorded there.
Investigators even tracked down a man in Martin County, North Carolina, the Greenville Police Department said in a Facebook post.
“We wanted to reassure everyone that we have taken this video seriously. Very early this morning, we were able to determine that the individual who posted this video does NOT live in Greenville; however, it’s possible he visits this area,” Greenville Police said. “We are still in the very preliminary stages of an investigation. Detectives have not yet determined who the person is in the video, where this occurred, or IF this occurred in Eastern North Carolina.”
“We realize there were multiple other agencies in the area who received information about this and we will be reaching out to them as the investigation continues. Thanks for your patience. We share in your concern and passion for animals and we want to assure you that a thorough and complete investigation is being conducted.”
5. Animal Lovers From Around the World Rallied to Raise Attention & Call for Criminal Charges
(Facebook)
Animal lovers around the world have flooded local police departments with calls about the video, and requests for the man to be arrested.
“Animal advocates are going to push hard for the maximum penalty and rightfully so! No slap on the wrist for this abuser!!,” Dora Ponce posted on the Greenville Police Department Facebook page.
