Former Mets minor leaguer and sometime actor Joseph Petcka is on trial for killing his girlfriend’s 8-year-old tabby, Norman. It is a good example of such cases where both criminal and civil charges can be brought. His former girlfriend Sports Illustrated reporter Lisa Altobelli insists that it was intentional while Petcka insists that it was an accident.
Prosecutors alleged that Petcka killed Norman after arguing with Altobelli (who left the apartment around 3 .am.). He had allegedly woke up Altobelli to tell her that Norman had tried to bite him.
Norman was found later with a variety of severe injuries from broken teeth to broken ribs to a broken leg to a torn tongue. There was also massive internal injuries and a chest cavity filled with blood.
He had been drinking heavily on that night of March 27, 2007.
His lawyer insists that, when the cat tried to swat him, he hit the cat but did not intend to kill. He further complains that, absent the high publicity, the case would have been pleaded out without a significant sentence. His client now faces up to two years.
Altobelli told police that Petcka had previously complained: “You love that cat more than you love me.”
We discuss these cases in my torts class. The killing of pets is tragically common after break-ups or fights among couples. Such cases can result in lawsuits for intentional infliction of emotional distress as well as criminal charges. Indeed, it will be interesting to see if Altobelli sues. However, Petcka appears to have little in terms of assets. While he did act in a few episodes of shows like Sex in the City, he is currently working as a bartender. Certainly a job at Petco for Petcka appears unlikely.
Oh come on. The guy should “die”? For killing a cat?
Thats a fair and balanced justice to you?
I agree its a bad thing, but its not an offense worthy of the death penalty.
People that abuse animals and those that abuse people should die. Less trash in the world would be a great thing.
Joseph Petcka claims he didn’t mean to kill Norman because the cat swat at him and also tried to bite him!? The bully always tries to blame the victim! Of course Norman tried to bite him and swat at him, because this monster was BEATING THE CAT TO DEATH! Innocent victims, no matter animal or humans, that ever have been a victim of a crime like this, deserve our prayers.
Joseph Petcka, is panty wearing sissy faggot,coward, this is a clearly evident fact. Send him to us in Florida, we have animals in the everglades to take care of douche bags like him, this guy definitely is not a man, but a cowardly little faggot.
John,
I’m gathering from the context that you’re talking about Mrs. Palin’s hunting. I agree that cruelly beating any animal to death is inexcusable.
I do however strongly disagree with any attempt to equate that to hunting. In my experience most hunters (including myself) work very hard to make the kill as quick and painless as possible.
I only have one thing to say is “what a piece of sh*t.” He desereves the same that the cat got. I feel that 2 years isn’t enough, Let him loose at a PETA rally and let them take care of him.
Killing domesticated animals is not what a “macho” man does. Instead its the actions of a mentally unbalanced child unable to control a larger situation so they transfer their impotence to a situation where they feel they do have control.
The guys a liar. You can’t kill a full grown cat by simply taking a poke at it. Cats are extremely strong, agile creatures and if he killed it then he meant to kill it.
I’d toss him in the klink for a year and let him think about it.
I am a FIRM believer that many of the penalties in this country need to be much stiffer and animal cruelty is just one of them.
There is absolutely no excuse for injuring or killing a defenseless animal under ANY circumstance. This type of behavior should NOT be tolerated.
It is a FACT that most serial killers begin their lives of crime by torturing animals. Instead of the authorities giving these idiots probation because they “only injured a defenseless animal”, they should be treated like the scum they are.
If you murder someone or something, you are obviously not fit to remain in society.
I sincerly hope that the judge will use common sense in administering punishment.
Murder is murder PERIOD and Petka is an A–hole! He’s lucky it wasn’t my cat, that stupid SOB would have been wearing casts on both of his hands because I’d have broken them!
One more thought – no one accidentally beats a living creature to death – we all make choices. His hand and feet didn’t have a mind of their own while that slimebag was chasing that cat around the apartment. The cat obviously didn’t sit there and take it so he had to consciously chase him to get him. It’s about time animal cruelty is being taken seriously with resulting consequences. I hope they find out in jail what he did and give him the same kind of treatment. They should let the animal control officers take a shot at him. I hope he never gets within five feet of another animal or child. Maybe they should use him as the dummy for K9 training……
People that hurt defenseless animals like this scumbag and Governor Palin should be jailed!
I’m nauseated by this and was instantly brought to tears thinking about what Normans last moments of fear and excruciating pain had to be like. I have three of my own and also belong to a resuce group. This beating is worth than anything I’ve seen to date. This guy is a poor excuse for a human being and beneath comtemptible – piece of white trash coward. Pick on someone that can fight back slime bag!! When do we get to take a shot at him? He needs to get the absolute maximum sentence and should be forced to look at pics of Norman’s beaten broken body every day all day long and than have to work with rescue groups for a few years. Send him my way; I’ll show him how Norman felt. I know Lisa had no idea this idiot would do this, but if Norman were a child, she never would have left him there and shouldn’t have. If someone is acting out, everyone knows they cannot be trusted – period – across the board. She should have thought of her cat too, even if she wasn’t sure, the rule is to err on the side of caution. This absolutely turns my stomach. I hope he rots in hell.
This is outrageous – only two years for brutally killing a defenseless animal. Our justice system needs to reevaluate the punishment in animal cruelty cases and start to view pets as living beings, not just property.
Self-defense, eh? Right. If what I read on the net is true, Petcka had abused the cat before. No wonder the poor thing was scared of him and trying what he possibly could to defend himself.
Petcka is scum. An innocent animal doesn’t deserve that. I hope he rots on hell. And I hope Lisa learns a lesson from this.
I hope he rotts in hell..Drunkeness is no excuse..I hope you read this you worthless pri**. ! You’ve gotten too big for your britches…I pray that you think about the life that you took every day for the rest of your life.
I hope this guy has to serve every last day of the maximum sentence, preferably in general population. It would be gratifying if he never had another television or movie rule, but “Hollyweird” is just that – weird. I know I’ll never watch another film/tv show in which he has a role.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” — Ghand
Injuries that sever, and he didn’t mean to kill the poor thing? I am sick and tired of idiots using “I had too much to drink.” I want to hear the truth, which is, I have too much monster – moron – bigot- whatever, inside. Stop balming the booze. It only give a wus guts, to say, or do, that he know is not right.
Killing a defenseless animal is an indication of your character. I agree that this should be prosecuted to the fullest extent allowable. People that have this sort of rage and disregard for life eventually turn their rath toward human beings. I bet if you look back through his history, he has violent tendencies!
I’m just please that someone bothered to go to the trouble to drag this idiot into court. It’s a well known fact that cat’s are, by far, more abused than dogs, and it’s not often enough that anyone gives these beautiful, wonderful, gentle, loving creatures the credit they deserve. Thank you for publishing this story and for even bothering to care… Now if the cat world only had a Leona Helmsley to leave their millions to for these gentle creatures, I’d be convinced the world is a better place. Let’s wait and see if the judge does what needs to be done or shrugs it off with a slap on the wrist.
Jail is too good for this guy. He deserves the same treatment that poor Norman received. Accident my a–.
Stories like this just turn my stomach! This monster should ABSOLUTELY go to jail!!! Hopefully, the inmates will give him a dose of his own medicine and he can suffer the way that sweet cat did! People who abuse/kill animals go on to do the same to humans. This sadistic lunatic needs to be off the streets and in prison with his own kind. I hope he meets the same fate as Jeffrey Dalmer did! Rest in peace, sweet Norman. You’re over the rainbow bridge now where no on else can hurt you.