Pennsylvania man accused of skinning kitten’s face ‘down to the bone’ claimed it was a jaguar: officials – MASHAHER

A kitten is recovering in Pennsylvania after a man claimed to have skinned off part of the cat’s face last week because he thought it was a jaguar, officials said.

Richard Swangler, 56, called police to a residence in West Hempfield Township early on March 3 for a report of a wild animal – which he said he believed was a black jaguar – inside the home, the Lancaster County District Attorney’s Office said.

Responding officers found Swangler inside the home with scratch and bite marks on his arms. Instead of a wild animal, police found a kitten with severe facial injuries.

The kitten’s chin had been “completely de-gloved, down to the bone,” according to the Organization for Responsible Care of Animals (ORCA), which is caring for the 6-month-old cat named Nakia.

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“We are unsure of how or why this man was able to cause such damage to Nakia’s face,” ORCA said.

Nakia, a 6-month-old kitten, is expected to make a full recovery. (ORCA – Organization for Responsible Care of Animals)

It was unclear whether Swangler owned the kitten.

Swangler was taken into custody for outstanding probation violation warrants. He was also charged with a felony count of aggravated animal cruelty.

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Swangler is being held at the Lancaster County Prison on $15,000 bail.

Nakia’s chin had been “de-gloved down to the bone,” the organization said. (ORCA – Organization for Responsible Care of Animals)

While Nakia is expected to make a full recovery, ORCA said the kitten is not yet ready for adoption.

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“She has made everyone quickly fall in love with her cause of her sweet personality,” the organization said. “She has gotten all the pets and love she deserves!”