CityRoom has details on how two teens— Angelo Monderoy, 18, and Matthew Cooper, 17—now face multiple charges for arson, burglary and animal cruelty for "breaking into a vacant apartment in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and setting a cat on fire" last October. The ASPCA conducted an investigation and, according to the Brooklyn DA's office, "the defendants brought the cat into the apartment, held the cat down and poured charcoal lighter fluid in it. They then set the animal on fire, causing deep wounds and fourth-degree thermal burns." Later, the cat was "found outside crying, unable to move, but still alive"; the cat was taken to a vet and euthanized. The pair face up to 25 years in prison if convicted and Cooper has allegedly broken into the same building before: He and a different cohort were recently "charged with breaking into an apartment and beating the tenant with a cane, while the victim lay in bed, asleep, and then demanding money." Here's more on reporting animal cruelty.
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2025. Donate today