Anonymous tip saved Mass. cat from abuse that broke his tail — now he needs a loving home
Jaydan Depina was arraigned on two counts of animal cruelty in Cambridge District Court on July 29, and he is expected to return to court for a dangerousness hearing later this week, the MSPCA-Angell said.
Depina pleaded not guilty to the charges. MassLive reached out to Depina's lawyer for comment, but did not receive an immediate response.
Sage, a roughly 1-year-old domestic shorthair cat, was surrendered into the MSPCA's care on July 21 with 'multiple injuries' including a broken tail and lung contusions, the group said in a news release.
'Sage's case was challenging, and it required collaboration between many agencies to get him the justice he deserves,' Chris Schindler, the MSPCA's law enforcement director, said in a statement.
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The law enforcement division became aware of Sage's case in mid-July when it was contacted by Cambridge Animal Control, which was tipped off through an anonymous complaint.
Upon investigation, Schindler said the group found video evidence appearing to show the cat falling from an upper floor of a building before someone 'swings him by his tail and slams him on the ground repeatedly and then brings him back inside.'
MSPCA Law Enforcement identified the person in the video as Depina and obtained a surrender for Sage's care.
'We worked overdrive on this, ensuring Sage could start getting treatment as soon as possible, while also working closely with Cambridge Police to secure an arrest,' Schindler said.
Read More: Meet the people who work on animal cruelty cases in Western Mass.
Schindler added Sage 'has some healing to do.' He will undergo a neuter surgery on July 30, but will soon be made available for adoption, the MSPCA-Angell said.
Schindler thanked the 'close working relationship' the organizations involved have together for expediting the process.
He also noted the 'vital resource' of having the public come forward to report suspected animal abuse, applauding the anonymous tipster for filing their complaint.
'Our Law Enforcement team isn't huge, and we have to cover cruelty complaints across all 351 communities in Massachusetts, so we really rely on people reporting issues directly to us or to their local police and animal control officers, like what happened with Sage,' he said.
Those with information on potential animal cruelty are asked to submit a tip on the MSPCA's website or call either 617-522-6008 or 800-628-5808.
Read More: Mass. lawmakers eye lesser charge to deter animal cruelty
Coincidentally, Sage had been treated at the MSPCA's Angell Animal Medical Center in Boston in late 2024, according to Schindler.
At the time, the center was told he had fallen off a building resulting in a fracturing of the roof of him mouth and in his toes.
Schindler said 'there was no reason to suspect cruelty at that point.'
With new imaging, Schindler said veterinarians found not only Sage's most recent injuries, but also rib and toe fractures that they believe he suffered at least four weeks prior, if not longer. He added this is 'often consistent with abuse.'
At first 'shy' and with a 'shutdown' demeanor, the MSPCA said Sage has blossomed into a 'social, happy, and loving' cat since his surrender.
Those interested in adopting Sage are asked to visit the MSPCA's Boston Adoption Center during its open hours Tuesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Those interested in donating to the MSPCA Law Enforcement to help stem animal abuse in Massachusetts and care for animals affected by it, can donate on the group's website.
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