Miami-Dade Police Department have arrested 18 year old Tyler Weinman and charged him with 19 counts of animal cruelty and other related offenses in connection with a wave of cat killings and mutilations in Palmetto Bay and Cutler Bay.  Bond has been set at $154,500, however can be either increased or reduced this afternoon, when Weinman is scheduled to appear before a bond judge.

Cat owners have been concerned for the safety of their pets since May 14, 2009 when the cat killings began.  Most people who knew Weinman described him as a class clown and found the news of his arrest shocking.

Animal cruelty can be charged as both a first degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in County Jail and a third degree felony, punishable by up to five years in Florida State Prison.