CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – On Monday, May 10 at 8:19 a.m. Cedar Rapids Police officers received a report that an individual had thrown a cat from the 3rd Avenue Bridge into the Cedar River. A Cedar Rapids Police officer located the cat attempting to get out of the river on a rocky incline near May’s Island. Linn County Sheriff’s Office deputies also arrived on scene and helped remove the cat from underneath a rock next to the water. The cat, a 7-year old spayed female orange Tabby cat, was transported to Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control where she was examined and treated by a veterinarian.
Officers spoke with a witness who indicated it appeared an individual intentionally dumped the cat out of a pet carrier and into the river.
Shortly thereafter the owner of the cat, identified as Lloyd Wallace Baird, DOB/12-17-1934, age 86, arrived in the front lobby of the Police Station. He inquired whether officers had found his cat. Baird told an officer that he was driving near the river and decided that he wanted to look at the water. Baird claimed he had the cat in a pet carrier and wanted his cat to see the river. Allegedly, when he opened the pet carrier, the cat panicked and jumped into the river. He denied intentionally throwing the cat into the river.
Officers were able to obtain surveillance video of the incident. Baird is accused of leaning over the rail of the bridge, holding the carrier over the river with the door open and facing down. Baird then shook the carrier causing the cat to fall from the carrier and into the river.
Based on witness and surveillance footage, Baird was arrested this afternoon for Animal Abuse, an aggravated misdemeanor. He was transported to the Linn County Correctional Center and then released after signing a Consent to Delay of Initial Appearance.
The cat is currently at Cedar Rapids Animal Care and Control shelter recovering. The cat’s body temperature was 7 degrees below normal upon arrival on Monday. X-rays did not reveal any broken bones. The veterinarian is anticipating a full recovery.
Disclaimer: Any arrest and complaint information included above is based on the legal conclusion that, as with any criminal case, a charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.
