A South Dakota police officer accused of shooting stray cats is facing criminal charges.

A criminal complaint filed in Union County charges North Sioux City Officer Derek McIntosh with a misdemeanor. Police began investigating McIntosh on May 9 after other officers reported that he had picked up stray cats and shot them in the cemetery instead of taking them to the humane society.

North Sioux City administrator Ted Cherry tells the Argus Leader that McIntosh is no longer employed by the city, but he didn't say whether he resigned or was fired. Cherry says McIntosh has admitted to shooting a cat.

South Dakota law gives police officers leeway in deciding how to deal with rabid or injured animals.

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Information from: Argus Leader, http://www.argusleader.com