Cat killer gets day sentence
Deserved more jail time: Judge
By JASON BOTCHFORD, TORONTO SUN
In a case that a lawyer dubbed the Paul Bernardo of animal cruelty, a 21-year-old who tortured and killed a sweet-tempered cat was sentenced to one day in jail yesterday, in addition to four months time served. It was the maximum sentence allowed by law, said Ontario Court Justice Bruce Young, who made it clear he thought Matthew "Matt" Kaczorowski deserved more jail time for his role in the videotaped torture.
"I was sickened by the torture and the methodical nature of what the accused did in this case," he said. "If I had been able to give him more time in prison, I would have."
SNUFF VIDEO
In a 17-minute snuff video taken two years ago, Kaczorowski and two others -- Anthony Wennekers, 25, and Jesse Power, 22 -- coax "Kensington the cat" to chase and attack a mouse in a Bathurst St. rooming house. When the cat refuses, its head is put in a noose and it is hanged.
The men slash the cat's throat, then stab the cat repeatedly with dental tools while the cat moans. The short-haired cat was then disemboweled with a straight knife.
At one point, Kaczorowski said: "This is good stuff."
On May 30, 2001, police investigating calls from residents of the rooming house found the video.
GUILTY PLEAS
In April 2002, Wennekers and Power both pleaded guilty to charges of mischief and animal cruelty. Power was sentenced to 90 days to be served on weekends. Wennekers was sentenced to time served in pre-trial custody.
But Kaczorowski was only found after the tireless work of Katie Woodward, who set up a Web site (www.findmatt.org). The site led to Kaczorowski's arrest in Vancouver, where he was recognized while getting medicine for his girlfriend's cat.
"My overwhelming sense is relief that this is over," Woodward said. "But I would have loved for him to stay in jail forever."
Kaczorowski pleaded guilty to both the animal cruelty and mischief charges and read out a statement yesterday.
"How can one explain an irrational act with rational words?" Kaczorowski said. "Being only human, I would do anything to turn back time ... For what I did was abhorrent."
Deserved more jail time: Judge
By JASON BOTCHFORD, TORONTO SUN
In a case that a lawyer dubbed the Paul Bernardo of animal cruelty, a 21-year-old who tortured and killed a sweet-tempered cat was sentenced to one day in jail yesterday, in addition to four months time served. It was the maximum sentence allowed by law, said Ontario Court Justice Bruce Young, who made it clear he thought Matthew "Matt" Kaczorowski deserved more jail time for his role in the videotaped torture.
"I was sickened by the torture and the methodical nature of what the accused did in this case," he said. "If I had been able to give him more time in prison, I would have."
SNUFF VIDEO
In a 17-minute snuff video taken two years ago, Kaczorowski and two others -- Anthony Wennekers, 25, and Jesse Power, 22 -- coax "Kensington the cat" to chase and attack a mouse in a Bathurst St. rooming house. When the cat refuses, its head is put in a noose and it is hanged.
The men slash the cat's throat, then stab the cat repeatedly with dental tools while the cat moans. The short-haired cat was then disemboweled with a straight knife.
At one point, Kaczorowski said: "This is good stuff."
On May 30, 2001, police investigating calls from residents of the rooming house found the video.
GUILTY PLEAS
In April 2002, Wennekers and Power both pleaded guilty to charges of mischief and animal cruelty. Power was sentenced to 90 days to be served on weekends. Wennekers was sentenced to time served in pre-trial custody.
But Kaczorowski was only found after the tireless work of Katie Woodward, who set up a Web site (www.findmatt.org). The site led to Kaczorowski's arrest in Vancouver, where he was recognized while getting medicine for his girlfriend's cat.
"My overwhelming sense is relief that this is over," Woodward said. "But I would have loved for him to stay in jail forever."
Kaczorowski pleaded guilty to both the animal cruelty and mischief charges and read out a statement yesterday.
"How can one explain an irrational act with rational words?" Kaczorowski said. "Being only human, I would do anything to turn back time ... For what I did was abhorrent."
