"Animal-Lover" Arrested in Death of "Cuddles"

On Thursday, Chester Police arrested 19 year old, Rishawn "Bean" Morrison in  connection with the torture-death of pretty little "Cuddles" the 6 week old kitten.  Morrison who was identified by two other people who claim they were with him last week, in the rear alley at West 5th Street, in Chester, when he started throwing stones and rocks at the kitten. The witnesses alledge, Morrison then grabbed the kitten and held him down, while burning his whiskers and lighting the kitten on fire.

 Chester Police Detective Joseph Massi went to Chester High School, on Thursday, where Morrison is a student and pulled him out of class. When told the charges Morrison replied; "That ain't me, I'm a "animal-lover." Detective Massi said he replied "We have sources who say otherwise."


Morrison was charged with disorderly conduct and animal cruelty in the torture-death of "Cuddles" the little 6 week old brown tabby. He is being held on $50,000 bail at the Delaware County Prison until his arraignment hearing next week.


At the time of the arrest the Police Department and Delaware SPCA had received calls with tips and offering to donate towards the reward, which was up to $1500.00.


"I'm thrilled that they were able to catch the perpetrator," said SPCA spokeswoman Fran Franchi. "We need to make sure that people understand this is a crime and they will be arrested and they will be prosecuted."


Massi said while he appreciates the cooperation his department received from the public in tracking down 'Cuddles' alleged attacker. Yet when it comes to solving homicides, the phone lines rarely light up. "We're glad to get the cooperation," Massi said, "but if we had the same type of cooperation for serious crimes involving humans, maybe we wouldn't have such a violent society."


Cuddles was the 3rd case of animal cruelty over a two week period in the greater Philadelphia area. First was "Sticky",  the cat wrapped from head to toe in duct tape,  followed by the school bus driver who threw a plastic bag containing 3 kittens off the bus. They all survived. About 100 people called wanting to adopt "Sticky." He is currently living happily with his new family.

Officer Dave Schlott  from the Chester Animal-Control was the first to respond to the call for Cuddles;  he was amazed by the little kitten who had just been so abused, yet when he gently picked him up,  "Cuddles" clung to his shirt, then climbed up to his shoulder, nuzzled his neck and curled up for a nap.

It originally appeared that "Cuddles" was only slightly injured. Sadly about 24 hours after his attack he took a turn for the worse and later that night he succumbed from his injuries.

 Chester teen held in torture, death of 6-week-old kitten.