Armed ex-soldier allegedly stormed animal shelter for ‘support cat’

A former soldier allegedly threatened to shoot an animal shelter employee if she did not hand over the “support cat” he claims saved his life, a court has heard.

Tony Wittmann is accused of storming an animal shelter.

A former soldier with a fascination for felines and firearms allegedly stormed an animal shelter in combat gear to retrieve a support cat that he claims saved his life, a court has heard.

Tony Wittmann, 44, allegedly pointed an assault rifle at a Lost Dogs’ Home animal ranger and allegedly repeatedly threatened to shoot her if she did not hand over his “support cat” on Monday night.

The father-of-three, who lives alone with several cats, faced the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday where he pleaded with a magistrate to release him on bail so he can “get the help he needs”.

The court heard Mr Wittmann contacted the Cranbourne shelter on Monday evening about his missing cat and was told the business would be closing at 6pm so made an appointment to pick up his pet the next morning.

But police allege Mr Wittmann drove to the shelter at 8.30pm that night to “scope out” where the security cameras were located before returning home to pack an arsenal of guns, his military uniform, a helmet and tactical torches.

Tony Wittmann.

Detective Senior Constable Jo MacDonald told the court the former soldier parked his car near the shelter and “kitted up” in his combat gear shortly after 10.20pm.

A female worker arriving at the carpark told police she was confronted by a man pointing a rifle at her, “like a SWAT team would use in a movie”.

Mr Wittman allegedly told the woman if she followed his orders he wouldn’t shoot her and forced her into the building at gunpoint.

Detective MacDonald said the accused continued to point the gun at the terrified woman with his finger on the trigger as he demanded to know where the cats were kept.

The woman begged for life as he told her to get on her knees and put her hands behind her back, the court heard.

Mr Wittmann then told the woman to count to 100 before calling for help and fled the shelter.

He allegedly dumped his guns and military gear in bushland near Cranbourne that night before returning to the shelter the next morning to claim his cat.

Detective MacDonald said Mr Wittmann initially “went out of his way” to insert himself into the investigation to prove his innocence.

Later on Tuesday afternoon Mr Wittmann handed himself into police and was charged with kidnapping, aggravated burglary and firearm offences.

The court heard he had collected a series of weapons and was a risk to public safety.

In his failed bail attempt, Mr Wittmann said he was suffering a number of mental health issues and the cat in question had “brought me back from the brink” on several occasions.

Mr Wittmann said he would “stand accountable for what (he’d) done” but wanted an opportunity to get help.

Magistrate Michael McNamara refused bail, citing Mr Wittman’s “fascination” with guns and risk to the community.

He will next face court on April 7.

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