'It was more humane:' Brookville man accused of drowning two kittens in bucket, PSP says

Jefferson Co., PA (WJAC) — State police in Jefferson County say a Brookville man is facing multiple animal cruelty charges after admitting to drowning two kittens in a bucket of water.

Troopers say an investigation into the animal cruelty complaint began in late September when neighbors heard meowing coming from a property along Timberview Alley in Corsica Borough.

Police say the neighbors went to investigate the noise themselves after being approached by a stray kitten that had wandered from the property.

According to the affidavit, troopers say the neighbors discovered that the meowing was coming from a bucket located in the back of the property.

Police say when the neighbors opened the bucket, they reportedly found one dead kitten and one still alive.

Investigators say police also later observed the dead kitten lying next to the bucket.

Troopers say they later spoke with the property owner, identified as 38-year-old Byron Kifer, who reportedly told police that the kittens were strays and thought "it was more humane to drown them than to let them starve."

Investigators say Kifer admitted to placing two of the kittens in the bucket.

Authorities note that the neighbors took the two living kittens and arranged for them to be picked up by the Stray Cat Central organization in Brookville.

According to online court records, Kifer faces one felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals and two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February of next year.

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