2.2.12: Weibman Sentenced, Fined for Mutilating Cats
February 2, 2012 -- Baltimore City District Court Judge Charles Chiapparelli sentenced and fined Ethan P. Weibman yesterday for mutilating two cats last year.
Weibman received a three-year prison sentence, with all but three months suspended, three years of supervised probation upon release from jail, and a $5,000 fine. The 20-year-old also is prohibited from having any future contact with animals.
The Maryland SPCA launched an investigation in March 2011 after Weibman returned to the shelter with a dead cat, Lucy, which he had only recently adopted. The cat's death ultimately was attributed to a wound inflicted by a BB gun shot.
Less than three weeks later, Weibman took a second cat, Lola, to an area veterinarian, this one suffering from a blunt force trauma.
On October 28, 2011, Weibman pled guilty to two counts of felony mutilation of an animal and one count of possessing, discharging, and using a pellet gun.
Assistant State's Attorney Jennifer Etheridge prosecuted the case.