Oxford Man Shoots And Kills Cat That Annoyed Him: State Police

OXFORD, CT — Police say an Oxford man is accused of shooting a neighbor's cat early Sunday morning, State Police said. Craig E. Middendorf, 48, of Roosevelt Drive, is charged with unlawful discharge of firearms, cruelty to animals and first-degree reckless endangerment.

State Police said the victim and Middendorf live side-by-side in a duplex type residence. Middendorf was annoyed by what he believed to be a stray cat so he shot and killed it in the backyard of the residence with a 22 caliber rifle, State Police said.

The cat was owned by the victim, State Police said. The suspect's rifle was seized and he was released on a $2,500 bond.