Kuri Kitawal sentenced for serious animal cruelty charge

A young fast food worker, who threw a pet kitten against a wall, has been sentenced for the sickening act of animal cruelty.

A young fast food worker, who threw a kitten across a room in a spineless act of rage, has narrowly avoided jail time for the cruel deed.

Kuri Kitawal, 19, pleaded guilty in Bundaberg Magistrates Court to one count of serious animal cruelty (domestic violence offence).

The court heard Kitawal flew into a rage when he realised his dog had escaped from the yard during an argument with his partner at her house.

He retaliated by picking up her kitten and throwing it with such force that it convulsed and died.

Police Prosecutor Sergeant Grant Burgess said Kitawal was a first-time offender and it was “out of character” for him.

Kitawal’s lawyer, Matt Molloy, told the court Kitawal was about to start work at KFC and agreed that his behaviour was not of his usual character.

“This was an incident during a domestic argument,” Mr Molloy said.

“My client is extremely remorseful, he was very much aware that it was inappropriate.

“He was extremely upset about the pain he could have inflicted upon that defenceless animal.”

Magistrate Trinity McGarvie said it was an upsetting act of animal cruelty.

“Your offending is startling in the level of its cruelty to a defenceless kitten,” Ms McGarvie said.

“It was also an act of domestic violence that can cause psychological harm to your ex partner and the children that were present.

“For you to have done that with the intention of causing pain was clearly animal cruelty and it was clearly behaviour intended to inflict pain on an animal.

“Quite often, people receive terms of imprisonment for harming a defenceless animal causing its death.”

Kitawal was placed on 12 months probation and no conviction was recorded.