Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Cat Killer Pleads Guilty, Gets 500 Hours of Community Service
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 19, 2008
Modified Dec 19, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 19, 2008
Modified Dec 19, 2008
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Joseph Petcka, the former Mets minor leaguer who killed his girlfriend's 7-pound cat, pleaded guilty to aggravated animal cruelty in exchange for doing 500 hours of community service. The Daily News reports that the offer "seemed to surprise" Petcka's defense lawyer, Charles Hochbaum, who said, "Wow! We're prepared to take that right now." Previously, the Manhattan DA's office took Petcka to court, but it ended in mistrial as the jury was deadlocked (a felony animal cruelty conviction would have sent him to jail). Petcka, who previously said he was sorry, told the News, "I like having the community service. I just hope what I do will make a difference in people's opinions of me."
Tagged
cat killer
cat killing
joseph petcka
Norman the cat
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Trump urged voters to pretend he’s on the ballot. In NY and NJ they listened.
Democrats relentlessly linked their GOP opponents to the Republican president.
By
Jon Campbell
,
Elizabeth Kim
and
Walter Wuthmann
Published Nov 4, 2026 at 6:34 a.m. ET
Even in defeat, a reclusive NJ Republican remained secluded to the last vote
Rep. Tom Kean, Jr., known for refusing interviews and town halls, sequestered himself with supporters after losing the election.
By
David Brand
News
Even in defeat, a reclusive NJ Republican remained secluded to the last vote
Rep. Tom Kean, Jr., known for refusing interviews and town halls, sequestered himself with supporters after losing the election.
By
David Brand
Republican Jeff Van Drew concedes NJ congressional seat in surprise victory for Democrats
By
Mike Hayes
and
Karen Yi
NYC voters appear poised to approve outdoor dining, bike lane ballot measures
By
Giulia Heyward
Rebecca Bennett flips NJ Republican House seat for Democrats
By
Mike Hayes
,
Michael Sol Warren
and
Karen Yi
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .