Man Arrested for Cruelty After Allegedly Maiming Newborn Kittens in Summit County
⚠️ Warning: This post contains graphic content related to animal cruelty. Reader discretion is advised.
In a heartbreaking case that has shaken animal lovers and advocates across Ohio, a man in Summit County has been arrested after allegedly cutting off the tails of three newborn kittens. The suspect, 57-year-old Bret Stalnaker, is now facing a felony charge of animal cruelty.
A Disturbing Series of Events
On April 14, 2025, the Summit County Sheriff's Office responded to a call on East Turkeyfoot Lake Road in Green, Ohio. Deputies arrived at the scene following reports of a violent dispute involving Stalnaker and a female resident.
According to officials, the dispute escalated earlier that day when Stalnaker allegedly sent threatening text messages to the woman, claiming he would harm a litter of kittens—just nine days old—and their mother. Hours later, he returned and threw a container at the victim. Inside were the severed tails of three of the kittens.
When deputies located Stalnaker in his van nearby, he surrendered without incident and tossed his .45 caliber pistol to the authorities. He was arrested on the spot and booked into the Summit County Jail on one count of felonious animal cruelty.
The Kittens' Recovery
The three kittens, now tail-less, were rushed to a local veterinary clinic, where they are receiving treatment and recovering from their injuries. Though the physical wounds may heal in time, the trauma inflicted on such young animals has sparked outrage across the community.
Animal lovers are calling for strong prosecution and long-term protections to ensure that such cruelty is never repeated.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just a case of one individual committing a shocking act of violence—it’s a stark reminder of why stronger animal protection laws and mental health interventions are needed. The trauma inflicted on animals in domestic violence situations is often an indicator of broader issues and can be a red flag for escalating patterns of abuse.
It also reinforces the urgent need to recognize animal cruelty as a serious crime—not just for the sake of the animals involved, but for public safety at large.
What You Can Do
Speak Up: If you suspect animal abuse or threats of violence, report it immediately to local authorities responsible in each county for animal abuse. Check OAA's statewide resource list on where to report cruelty in each Ohio county. Contact your state Senator right now, and urge them to cosponsor S.B. 64 using the sample
letter below. You can find your Representatives here.
Support Stronger Laws: Contact your Congressional representative and urge them to pass H.R. 712, which would expand national data collection beyond child abuse to include animal abuse. Also, contact your state representative and ask them to strengthen laws surrounding animal cruelty and to enforce penalties that reflect the severity of the crime by passing Ohio S.B. 64.
Donate or Volunteer: Support and volunteer with OAA to help us continue to get laws passed that will address the link between animal and human violence and help with our statewide training efforts. Also, help local rescues and shelters that take in animals from abuse cases and provide them with the care, rehabilitation, and love they deserve.
Educate Others: Share stories like this to raise awareness and encourage a culture of compassion and accountability.
According to the Animal Welfare Institute “...an article published in the FBI’s Law Enforcement Bulletin entitled The Link Between Animal Cruelty and Human Violence acknowledges animal cruelty as a form of domestic violence and makes clear the connection between animal abuse in the home and family abuse, and the likelihood of ongoing negative effects.”
A Call for Compassion and Justice
While the trauma these kittens endured is unimaginable, we must remain committed to fighting for justice on their behalf—and on behalf of every animal harmed by cruelty or neglect.
Let this be a wake-up call. Every life deserves protection. Every act of violence must be met with consequence. And every survivor, no matter how small, deserves a chance to heal.
Source 19 News
