Calif. ACO in Hot Water for Drowning Kittens

April 7, 2008

ADELANTA, Calif. -- Animal Control Supervisor Kevin Murphy faces six cruelty to animals charges following the alleged drowning of 50 kittens last year.

The counts are specifically for killing, maiming and abusing the animals, for which he up to faces six years in prison if found guilty.

Murphy, 36, has been placed on paid administrative leave while the city investigates these allegations, according to Adelanto City Manager Jim Hart. Another employee that has not been named was also placed on paid leave, but is not listed in the charges.

Murphy, though, is accused of committing the atrocities from July to October 2007. Adelonto city officials remain tight-lipped about the case and haven’t released details of the accusations.

“The charges allege that he killed in the neighborhood of 50 kittens while working as head of animal control in Adelanto,” said James Hill, supervising deputy district attorney for San Bernadino County.

Each charge carries a maximum of one year in prison and/or a $20,000 fine. According to The Los Angeles Times, Murphy has not been arrested for the alleged offenses, but has been sent a letter concerning the date he is to present himself in court.

In a prepared statement, Hart stated that unless proven guilty, Murphy should be considered innocent.

“It is important to reiterate that the city does not condone violence against animals in any shape or form,” he said. “If it is determined that there is truth to the accusations, we will deal with it strictly and decisively.”

In 2004, Murphy was awarded the San Bernadino County Sherriff’s Medal for Lifesaving after he saved a woman from a burning building.

Kathy Williams, manager of the Victor Valley Animal Protective League, was Murphy’s colleague.

“I was really surprised when I heard that someone supposedly trying to do the right thing by rescuing animals is then charged with killing them. It doesn’t make any sense,” she told The Los Angeles Times.

Murphy will be arraigned on May 19.

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Matt Van Hoven, Pet Pulse; David Kelly, The Los Angeles Times and Ryan Orr, Victorville Daily Press, contributed to this story.