Morganton, NC – A North Carolina man is facing a slew of charges after breaking into a home and killing his tenants’ cat, Frank. Police say Dustin Timothy McCormack broke into Harmony Chizem and her boyfriend, Preston Finley’s home on July 10, while the couple was away on vacation,
Frank was chased out to the porch, kicked, and shot by McCormack, who tried to justify his deplorable actions by saying that the tenants were not allowed to have a cat, and he was simply trying to scare him from the porch.
Who scares a cat with a gun?
Harmony Chizem tells WSOCTV how she felt when she viewed surveillance footage of her cat being gunned down, “Just crying. I kind of get like I was having a panic attack with what had gone on because it was so cruel.”
The Burke County Sheriff’s Office press release outlines the investigation findings:
The investigator was also shown footage from a live Facebook video made by McCormack, in which he appeared to be referring to the incident. The Investigator also found a Facebook post made by McCormack that references the victim and shows pictures of the victim’s residence. Warrants for McCormack’s arrest were obtained and he turned himself in.
Note: A friend was caring for Frank while the couple was away on vacation.
McCormack is a repeat offender who continues to show disregard for the law; WHKY outlines his menagerie of charges:
McCormack currently has misdemeanor charges pending in Burke County for two domestic violence protective order violations, cyberstalking, expired registration card or tag, assault on a female, speeding, and resisting a public officer, along with a reckless driving to endanger charge in Iredell County.
Please add your name to the petition – we cannot allow this man’s reckless disregard for the law to continue unchecked. His escalating criminal behavior in addition to killing Frank, has put too many other lives at risk, and it is time for justice to be served before more harm is done.
McCormack was in jail, but bonded out on a $10,000 bond. He has ten pending criminal cases against him. The case number for this petition for the animal cruelty charge is # 24CRS360869.
A court date is pending for this case to be held in Superior Court in North Carolina.
Other charges as noted below:
1. Hearing on Violation of Protection Order (Domestic Violence) – today – 10/24/2024
2. Hearing on Violation of Protection Order (Domestic Violence) – 12/20/2024
3. Hearing on Cyberstalking – hearing today – 10/24/2024
4. Hearing on another violation of Protection Order (Domestic Violence) today – 10/24/2024
5. Hearing on Assault on Female – today – 10/24/2024
6. He has another hearing scheduled on 01/24/2025 driving when his license was revoked and speeding while driving with a revoked license.
Target
Scott Reilly, Burke County District Attorney
WHY THIS PETITION MATTERS:
We, the undersigned, demand that Dustin Timothy McCormack receive the maximum sentence for every charge stemming from the July 10 incident, where he broke into his tenants’ home and killed their innocent cat. McCormack’s behavior demonstrates a shocking disregard for life and decency. Animal Victory and its supporters stand firm in seeking justice for Frank. Not only should McCormack face significant jail time, but he must also be permanently banned from owning or living with animals in the future. Justice must be served to ensure no other defenseless creatures fall victim to his cruelty.
Individuals are presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law. Animal Victory relies upon the authorities and the court system to determine guilt or innocence.
News:
Burke County Sheriffs Office Press Release
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