Judge rejects probation deal in cat killing case

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (AP) — A judge has rejected a probation deal proposed by a New Britain man charged with killing three cats and hurting four others.

Stanislaw Ternacki applied for the accelerated rehabilitation program, which allows charges against first-time offenders to be dismissed after a probation period. The Herald of New Britain reports that a Superior Court judge refused Ternacki's request Tuesday.

Ternacki now has until July 30 to accept or reject a deal proposed by prosecutors that calls for a four-month jail sentence if he pleads guilty to animal cruelty.

Witnesses say they saw the 63-year-old Ternacki throw the cats off an outdoor staircase and beat them with a stick.

His lawyer said he was defending himself from aggressive cats he was helping remove from a vacant apartment.

Ternacki pleaded not guilty.

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Information from: New Britain Herald

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