Summer trial set for Oxford man indicted in Hamilton cat cruelty case

Suspect accused of catching and abusing a cat last week at a Hamilton apartment complex. BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

Suspect accused of catching and abusing a cat last week at a Hamilton apartment complex. BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

A summer trial date has been set for an Oxford man facing a felony animal cruelty charge in a Hamilton case that resulted in grave injuries to a cat that later was euthanized.

Zhean Bai, 27, was arrested Feb. 6 at his residence at Oxford West Apartments on Ogden Court and charged with prohibitions concerning companion animals, and breaking and entering, both fifth-degree felonies.

Zhean Bai BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE

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Last month, a Butler County grand jury indicted Bai on one count of cruelty to companion animal, a fifth-degree felony. The grand jury declined to return a indictment for breaking and entering.

Butler County Common Pleas Judge Keith Spaeth has scheduled Bai’s trial for July 15. He is scheduled to be back in court May 9 for a pretrial hearing. Bai is free on $50,000 bond.

Bai’s arrest came after a tip from a concerned citizen, the suspect a day after a the sheriff’s office offered a $250 reward for information on the identity of a suspect in the Jan. 24 incident.

The Butler County Sheriff’s Office took to social media to identify a man who appears to capture a cat then slam it to the ground at a Hamilton apartment complex, causing the animal grave injuries.

Suspect accused of catching and abusing a cat last week at a Hamilton apartment complex. BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

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The incident happened at 9 p.m. Jan. 24 at Indian Springs apartments on Hampshire Drive. The cat was found by deputy dog wardens behind the complex and had to be euthanized due to its injuries.

Suspect accused of catching and abusing a cat last week at a Hamilton apartment complex. BUTLER COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

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