WAYNE COUNTY -- State police in Wayne County said a man will face animal cruelty charges for hurting two kittens so badly that one needed to be put down.
It's been two months since Victoria Linsalato has seen either of her kittens. She was only picking up one at the Cherry Ridge Veterinary Clinic near Honesdale.
Mary and Jane were only six months old at most when state police said a man who was supposed to be caring for them wound up harming the two so badly last week, that one needed to be put down.
"I heard he killed Mary, beat her to death, and hit her in the head. I don`t know with what, she has a cracked skull and we're just going to take care of her and love her," said Linsalato.
Jane spent a few days at the vet's, her head swollen 3-times its size from the alleged abuse. Linsalato explained she trusted the friend to watch the kittens after a fire at her home in June meant she couldn't keep the cats. While Mary is gone, Jane will need to be watched closely by her owners and by vets.
"I threw up, that's how sick it made me. I`m happy I got Jane back and she's safe and sound now."
The investigating trooper said the suspect threw one of the cats up against the wall at least 5 times, the other cat suffered major head injuries, only one survived. Investigators said it amounts to torture and the suspect will face charges.
"Her bones were all broken, they showed me the x-rays and everything was broken in her body," added Linsalato.
Investigators plan to file charges against the man this week.
His name has not been released.