A cat is recovering at Pasco County Animal Services from an injury after he was thrown from a second story apartment building, authorities said.
The cat suffered a soft tissue injury to his back left leg, but the director of Pasco County Animal Services said, he will be okay.
His owner, Robert Lewis, was charged with felony cruelty to animals.
According to authorities, Lewis denied he was the owner of the cat. His neighbor, Rachelle Vazquez, said she gave him the cat when he was about 6 weeks old because she wanted to find him a good home.
"He could have brought the cat back to me and I would have found the cat somewhere to live," Vazquez said.
Vazquez said the charge against Lewis does not sound like the person she has gotten to know in the neighborhood.
"It just ain't no reason to put your hand on anybody or anything. I just don't understand why he would do that," Vazquez said.
She would like to speak to him herself.
"I want to ask him did he really throw that cat," Vazquez said.
Robin Schellenberger lives on the first floor of the apartment complex. She heard when the cat hit the ground.
"It hit so hard. It was gut wrenching," Schellenberger said.
Schellenberger said she contacted authorities.
"When he told me to mind my business, I looked at him and said…I said 'what is wrong with you'? And, he says you just need to mind your business'," Schellenberger said
As of Thursday evening, Lewis remained behind bars at the Pasco County jail.
"I asked could I get the cat back you know. I kind of ..I felt like it was my fault. I really did 'cause I gave him the cat," Vazquez said.
