Man seen throwing cat against wall in video is arrested, Henderson police say

A 27-year-old man was arrested on an animal cruelty charge after a woman reported getting a video that showed her partner throwing a cat against a wall, the Henderson Police Department said Wednesday.

An investigation was launched Dec. 16, the department said in a news release, and police learned that the video was circulating on social media.

Angel Ventura Ayala, 27, was identified as the suspect and was arrested on Dec. 18, police said.

In the video, police said, the man can be heard asking a friend, “You got this right?” as he picked up the cat.

As Ayala walked out of his apartment and into a breezeway, he threatened to throw the cat named Suki, according to an arrest report. While walking down the breezeway, he violently threw the cat against the wall, the report said.

When Ayala picked up the animal a second time and threw it into the parking lot, the cat could be heard crying, according to the report.

“The cat involved in the incident was transported to a local animal hospital and received medical treatment,” the news release said.

Police described the incident in the news release as a “domestic-related animal abuse incident.”

Ayala was taken into custody on one felony count of torture, maiming or killing an animal to threaten or terrorize, police said.

In a later statement, the Clark County district attorney’s office addressed community concerns about the case, noting it had received numerous emails, calls, and messages about the matter.

“My office takes animal abuse cases seriously,” District Attorney Steve Wolfson said. “I have personally spoken with the assigned prosecutors, and I’m confident that we will achieve the appropriate amount of justice in this case.”

Wolfson also said that, if convicted, Ayala could be sentenced to one to six years in prison and fined up to $10,000. Ayala is due in court again on Feb. 11.