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The incident occurred about three weeks ago when Chilton hung a kitten in the basement of a relative’s house on Oberon Drive and beat it to death with rocks and bricks, according to Merbs.
The kitten, a calico named Tinker, belonged to his girlfriend, according to investigators.
Merbs said Chilton uploaded pictures of the beating online where his girlfriend could find them. She contacted the dog warden’s office.
“I guess they were going through a bad break up,” Merbs said. “He said he was really drunk.”
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Merbs said Chilton was questioned, confessed and given a chance to turn himself in, which he did not do. He was then taken into custody when he showed up for work.
Tinker’s body has not yet been found. Merbs said officers looked where Chilton said he threw the animal, but did not locate the dead feline.
“This is one of the most heinous acts of cruelty I have seen in this county,” Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones said. “I’m proud of the deputy dog wardens for their diligent work and getting this guy locked up. Obviously he has some serious issues if he feels he has to harm an innocent animal.”
Merbs said he will work with the Butler County Prosecutor’s Office during the investigation, which may lead to additional charges.
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