Ian Bender (Credit: Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office)
A Pinellas County man has turned himself into authorities nearly three weeks after he was accused of leaving several kittens to die gruesomely, abandoned at an animal shelter property.
Ian Bender, 37, of Ozona, is alleged to have abandoned seven kittens – all less than 18-months-old – in a suitcase and plastic bin he placed outside the SPCA, located at 9099 130th Avenue North in Largo. Five cats were in a small plastic bin and two cats were in a small suitcase, authorities said in a statement.
The incident took place March 8, however Bender turned himself in at the Pinellas County Jail on Wednesday.
According to the statement, detectives said when employees at the shelter opened the bin and the suitcase, five cats were deceased, and two cats were in critical condition. One of the cats had to be euthanized due to its poor condition. Additionally, the only surviving cat had an internal temperature of 106 degrees Fahrenheit.
Detectives say when the cats were removed from the bin and suitcase, they were “wet to the touch” and there was urine and feces present, indicating the cats were alive when they were placed in the bin and suitcase.
Throughout the course of the investigation, the sheriff’s office alleges, detectives learned that Bender was looking after the cats while a friend was away on a business trip.
“All of the cats were under the age of 18 months and were all healthy and in good condition,” the statement said. “After caring for the cats for approximately a week and a half … Bender stated he was sick of caring for them and began to plan the surrender.”
Bender is alleged to have placed the cats in the bin and the suitcase because he stated he did not have any other carriers to put them in, then dropped them off at the SPCA. It is unknown how long the cats were in the bin and suitcase.
Bender is charged with seven counts of aggravated animal cruelty.
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