VENANGO CO., Pa. (EYT) — A Venango County man is facing felony animal cruelty charges after he allegedly tortured and killed a cat with the intention of using it for catfish bait.

Court documents indicate the Oil City Police Department filed the following criminal charges against 22-year-old William James Albaugh, of Oil City, on October 2:

– Aggravated Cruelty to Animals — Torture, Felony 3
– Aggravated Cruelty to Animals — Causing Serious Bodily Injury or Death, Felony 3

The charges stem from an investigation into a report of a cat being tortured and killed in the Oil City area.

According to a criminal complaint, two known male witnesses reported that William James Albaugh took a black and gray cat down to the river in Oil City where he tortured it by throwing it in the river.

The witnesses said that after the cat got back to the shore, Albaugh then picked it up and threw it at a rock, causing its death.

After the cat died, Albaugh allegedly used a rock to cut off the body, then placed the body parts into a black back pack and took it home. the complaint states.

Albaugh allegedly told the witnesses that he planned to use the animal’s body as catfish bait, according to the complaint.

He was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 8.

He remains free on $2,500.00 unsecured bail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 16, with Judge Fish presiding.