Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Cat Killer Completes 500 Hours Of Community Service, Avoids Jail
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 18, 2009
Modified Dec 18, 2009
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 18, 2009
Modified Dec 18, 2009
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, a 205-pound former minor league baseball player who killed a former girlfriend's 7-pound cat in 2007, avoided jail time and probation after completing 500 hours of community service. During a trial last year, Petcka had claimed Norman the orange cat attacked him while he was in a drunken mood, provoking him into beating the feline to death.
The jury was hung, with 11 jurors looking to convict him, and the Manhattan DA's office ultimately allowed Petcka to plead guilty to aggravated animal cruelty in exchange for doing 500 hours of community service. When the Post "asked if he was glad to get the ugly incident behind him," Petcka said, "I guess it's hard to put it into words... I guess it's just like I said. A lot of it's tough to put into words." (The Post also calls him the "tongue-tied tabby terminator").
Petcka reportedly "spent 476 hours serving the homeless at a soup kitchen, and another 33 hours singing and assisting with crafts at an arts therapy charity."
Tagged
animal cruelty
cat
community service
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
Serbians forced to wait hours to vote at NYC consulate as Balkan nation holds election
Early voting may have kicked off in New York this weekend, but Serbian immigrants seeking to vote had a much tighter window on Sunday.
By
Jill Webb
and
Michael Sol Warren
Published Oct 25, 2026 at 2:57 p.m. ET
Modified Oct 25, 2026 at 4:59 p.m. ET
Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail
Victor Romero, who retired from the police department in 2001
By
Michael Sol Warren
News
Retired NYPD detective charged in George Washington Bridge killing out on $1M bail
Victor Romero, who retired from the police department in 2001
By
Michael Sol Warren
Suicides decline in NYC, but inequities persist across groups
By
Jill Webb
Cuts to rural healthcare become key issue for upstate votes in race for NY governor
By
Samuel King
NY Archdiocese will soon settle $800M clergy sexual abuse claims
By
Arya Sundaram
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 .