Complaint: Man shoots family cat to show woman what he’s capable of

Allison Garcia by Allison Garcia

Dane County Records Peter K. Stern

A Madison man told a woman he shot the family cat to show her what he’s capable of, according to a criminal complaint.

The woman reported Peter K. Stern to police after she said he told her in graphic detail how he shot Tinkerbell while the cat was eating its food. She said he originally disposed of the cat’s body in his work dumpster, but later buried it in the backyard of his home on Camila Road upon her request.

When police asked the woman why she thought he killed the cat, she said it was because he knew it would be traumatic for her. She also said he killed the cat as a threat to her to show her what he is capable of.

When police spoke to Stern, he admitted to shooting the cat and said he “put her down.” He said the cat often ran through his legs while he was on the stairs, which would cause him to trip. Stern also said his girlfriend was allergic to the cat.

Stern told police he used a .22 Ruger revolver to shoot the cat. He also said the cat was in good health before he shot it.

“Oh, yeah. I took good care of her, really good care of her,” Stern told police.

Court records show Stern stood mute in Dane County Court on Thursday and a not guilty plea was entered on his behalf for charges of mistreatment of an animal and disorderly conduct. He signed a $500 signature bond and is scheduled to be back in court in July.

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