TRAVERSE CITY — A Grawn teen severed a cat's head, stuffed it in a plastic bag tied to his belt buckle, then showed off the trophy to friends, police said.
Grand Traverse County prosecutors on Wednesday charged Jonathan David Cook, 18, with a felony count of killing or torturing animals. The charge against Cook is the first volley in a continuing probe of numerous cat killings and disappearances in the Blair Township area.
Cook told police he saw a black cat on a two-track near his home and attempted to pet it, according to police reports. The cat bit him, he said, so he stabbed it to death.
He denied cutting off the cat's head, but several people told investigators he bragged about doing just that, according to police reports. Witnesses told police Cook is suspected of killing and mutilating other animals in the Blair Township area.
Cook hadn't been arrested on the charge Wednesday. He didn't immediately return a call for comment left at his residence.
Police responded to multiple complaints of dead and mutilated animals in the area dating to February. Grand Traverse Prosecutor Alan Schneider said Cook was charged with one killing based on available evidence. He wouldn't comment further.
Grand Traverse Undersheriff Nate Alger said his department continues to investigate.
"It appears there were some similarities in the way these animals were treated," he said, referring to the cat Cook allegedly killed and other reported incidents.
An inmate at the Grand Traverse County Jail told deputies Cook "bragged about killing and torturing animals in and around his home," police reports show.
Another man told deputies Cook "decapitated a black cat and brought the head to the residence where he was staying," police reports show. He had a plastic bag tied to his belt buckle, then reached in and pulled out the severed head of a black cat.
"Cook began to laugh and brag about how he had tortured it for the last three days in the woods," police reports show.
Blair Township resident Brian Rogers found his cat, Remus, sawed in half in July, an unsettling discovery for his family.
He suggested Cook undergo a "full psychological examination."
Region
Teen charged for killing, beheading cat
Police continue to probe cat disappearances
-
-
Housing project 'moving forward'
Traverse City commissioners recently approved what officials expect to be the last change in long-running negotiations to sell city property near the former railroad depot off Eighth Street to two affordable housing agencies.
Continued ... -
Septic tank tax appears inevitable
A $30 to $40 yearly tax assessment on properties with septic tanks in Grand Traverse County and Leelanau's Elmwood Township appears inevitable.
Continued ... -
DEQ seeks public input on Brown Bridge Dam removal
The state Department of Environmental Quality seeks public comment on Traverse City's request for a permit to remove Brown Bridge Dam and restore three miles of Boardman River channel.
Continued ... -
Man charged in Crystal Lake incident
A downstate man who attempted to evade authorities by jumping into Crystal Lake spent his Memorial Day weekend in jail.
Continued ... -
Traverse City to expand TC Saves energy program
The city is expanding a program designed to help residents save on their energy bills.
Continued ... -
Elk Lake boat launch closed for repairs
The Elk Lake boat launch located three miles south of Kewadin is temporarily closed for repairs.
Continued ... -
Suspect arrested in parking meter thefts
Police arrested a man they said stole parking meters in Traverse City.
Continued ... -
TC Central, West on another 'best' list
Two Traverse City high schools made another national list of the best in the country.
Continued ... -
Traverse City man faces theft charge
A Traverse City man faces a criminal charge after police believe he stole cash and other items from a friend's parents.
Continued ... -
Detroit chamber wants help for new campaign
The Detroit Regional Chamber is asking private companies to contribute $2 million a year for a new campaign to promote economic development in southeastern Michigan.
Continued ... - Tuesday, May 29, 2012
-
Video: 'Taps' at Memorial Day service at Oakwood Cemetery
An excerpt of horn player Don Sattler and drummer David Sattler performing "Taps" at the conclusion of the Memorial Day service at Traverse City's Oakwood Cemetery on Monday, May. 28, 2012.
Continued ... -
Memorial Day: Traverse City honors heroes
A Memorial Day ceremony included a recitation of the Gettysburg Address, a rifle salute, the playing of "Taps" and a speech from Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners Chairman Larry Inman.
Continued ... -
Get to work without using your car
- Monday, May 28, 2012
-
City to discontinue spring cleanup
City crews will stop collecting residents' clutter each spring.
Continued ... -
Terry Wooten: WWII soldier's story told in poems
Jack Miller, a survivor of the Bataan Death March and a POW during World War II, won't be in any Memorial Day parades today.
Continued ... -
Remembering the fallen veterans
Below is a list of military veterans from the region who died during the past year (May 28, 2011, through May 25, 2012).
Continued ... -
Memorial Day events
A roundup of Memorial Day-related events in northern Michigan:
Continued ... - Sunday, May 27, 2012
-
Travel season begins
Tourism analysts at Michigan State University project a 3 percent increase in Michigan travel volume this year.
Continued ... -
Restored cemetery to be honored on Memorial Day
The "Old Ones" buried in the once-overgrown and abandoned Onominese Indian Cemetery near Northport will be honored in a Memorial Day service and traditional re-dedication ceremony.
Continued ... - 2012 Memorial Day weekend event listing
-
Underwater archaeology school returns to NMC
People from around the world will dive deep into the study of underwater archaeology next month at Northwestern Michigan College.
Continued ... -
Change may be on the way for kindergarten cutoff date
State lawmakers are considering moving up the cutoff date for kindergarten to level the academic playing field for new students, but school officials in Traverse City said it's more important to focus on universal preschool.
Continued ... -
Paving under way on 6.5-mile stretch of Leelanau Trail
Cyclists soon find a much smoother ride from Traverse City to Suttons Bay.
Continued ... - Saturday, May 26, 2012
-
July 4 to sparkle for years to come
Local supporters saved the threatened patriotic pyrotechnics last year. Now, the group launched the nonprofit Traverse City Boom Boom Club to plan and pay for an annual Independence Day show.
Continued ... -
GT Road Commission won't renew Gillis' contract
Mary Gillis' bosses refused to renew her contract, so the Grand Traverse County Road Commission's manager has to figure out her next move.
Continued ...
-
