HOMESTEAD, Fla. — A Florida City woman was arrested Wednesday after police said she repeatedly struck her cat inside a motel room in Homestead last week.
The suspect was identified in an arrest report as 48-year-old Jemica Monique Walker.
Officers said they were dispatched to the Everglades Motel at 605 S. Krome Ave. in reference to a disturbance in progress just before 1 a.m. on Feb. 11.
The 911 caller reported that a woman was beating her cat and “possibly under the influence of drugs.”
When officers arrived, they found the door to Walker’s hotel room open and made contact with her when she “spontaneously stated that she only was trying to discipline her cat,” according to the report.
Walker told officers the cat had gotten its leash entangled with a table leg and spilled water, causing a mess on the floor. Walker stated that she “beat the cat for only about 30 minutes.,” according to the report.
Police said the cat appeared wet, scared, and was shivering while attached to a small leash.
They said a motel employee told them that he was sleeping in the room next to Walker’s when he heard her “loudly and repeatedly” striking the cat while yelling, “Don’t do it anymore.”
Authorities said the neighbor declined to provide a written statement but gave a verbal statement captured on an officer’s body camera. He also told police it was not the first time a similar incident had occurred.
The resident also said she saw the cat tied to a table with a black leash, according to police.
Police said Walker was read her Miranda rights, waived them, and agreed to answer questions. She reiterated that she beat the cat for 20 to 30 minutes and said she used only her hands in the attack, authorities said.
According to her arrest report, the officer’s investigation determined that Walker “most likely was intentionally causing unnecessary pain and suffering to the animal with the specific intent to cause pain as punishment.”
Jail records show Walker is facing one count each of animal cruelty with intent to injure or kill and possession of cocaine.
As of Wednesday afternoon, she remained behind bars at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center on a $5,000 bond.
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