South Charleston Man Charged with Animal Cruelty in Gruesome Cat Torture, Killing Investigation 

Kanawha County humane officials said a man has been charged after an investigation in which several cats were reported to have been mutilated, tortured or killed.

Wayne Mallory Jr. is charged with three counts of animal cruelty, according to a news release from the Kanawha Charleston-Humane Association. The Kanawha County Sheriff's Office said Mallory was taken into custody Thursday afternoon.

The release said four cats were seized as a result of the investigation – three living and one deceased. Humane officers said the cats were stabbed, stomped and/or skinned. The deceased cat was dismembered.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Kanawha County Magistrate Court the deceased cat had been dismembered and was found on the porch of the home.

Another cat appeared to have been stabbed and suffered injuries to its head and face, according to the complaint. The complaint said a third cat had injuries that came from a person with surgical precision.,

Jamie Totten, the staff veterinarian for the Humane Association, said all of the injuries were human afflicted. A statement about the case was issued by Chelsea Staley, executive director of the Humane Association.

“This is the most disturbing case of animal abuse our investigators have ever seen,” Staley said. “To think someone in our community is capable of such violence toward animals is unsettling. Our team is committed to ending animal cruelty, and we’re hopeful this investigation spared the lives of countless future animal victims. The surviving cats are being cared for by KCHA’s medical team and are expected to make a full recovery.”

If convicted of animal cruelty, Mallory could be fined up to $6,000 and spend up to 18 months in jail.

Mallory is currently being held on a $15,000 cash only bond.

Wayne Mallory Jr. is only being charged with three misdemeanor counts of animal abuse.  WV Legislative Code states that the mutilation of an animal is a felony and can carry up to a five year sentence.

It's so important that we put pressure on the authorities and let them know that we expect them to take this seriously.

Please add your signature to the petition below demanding that this man be banned from owning animals and prosecuted to the full extent of the law if found guilty!