By Jalen Maki

Tomahawk Leader Co-Editor

TOWN OF PINE RIVER – A Merrill man, 25, was arrested on charges related to animal cruelty after a Lincoln County deputy rescued a kitten abandoned in the Town of Pine River, according to a post on the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page from Friday, Jan. 24.

Hope was brought to the Lincoln County Humane Society and is healthy, staff has reported.

According to the post, a Town of Pine River resident called the Sheriff’s Office on the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 23 to report that he had witnessed the suspect stop on a town road and drop off a kitten. After searching through the woods, a deputy found the kitten curled up by a tree and crying.

The animal was immediately taken to the Lincoln County Humane Society, where staff reports the animal is healthy, the Sheriff’s Office said.

“The witness wrote down the license plate number of the vehicle involved and the deputy located the suspect at his Town of Merrill home,” the post says. “He admitted his involvement in the matter and was arrested on charges of intentionally abandoning and intentionally mistreating an animal.”

The Sheriff’s Office said the kitten, who has since been named Hope was not harmed, and because of that, the suspect faces misdemeanor charges under state law. The suspect was able to post bond and released.

The kitten, who has since been named Hope, was not harmed, and because of that the charges are misdemeanors under Wisconsin state law. The suspect was able to post bond and was released.

“Please do not abandon a helpless animal,” the Sheriff’s Office said. “Multiple resources are available to any animal in need, and it is against the law.”