Target: Diane Couri, Macon County, Illinois State’s Attorney
Goal: Seek the maximum lawful sentence, a lifetime animal-ownership ban, restitution, and mandated counseling for the individual who allegedly strangled a cat and then attempted to burn the animal’s body.
Authorities responded to multiple calls describing a horrifying scene: a man strangling a cat who was later observed swinging the animal’s body, then apparently tried to set the cat’s face on fire with a torch-style lighter. Responding officers say the animal showed visible external injuries and had a fabric tied around its neck, with the precise cause of death pending necropsy. According to local reports, the suspect also fought officers during the arrest. These details paint a deeply disturbing picture of cruelty that, if proven in court, warrants the strongest possible legal response.
Witnesses say they saw the cat being twirled overhead and that the attempted burning occurred despite police orders to stop. Such acts, as described, suggest deliberate, prolonged torment. Prosecutors have filed aggravated animal cruelty and related charges, and the case will move through the courts.
Animal cruelty is closely linked to broader threats to community safety. A strong, well-publicized sentence in this case—if the allegations are proven—can send an unmistakable message that such violence will not be tolerated. Urge the State’s Attorney to pursue the maximum penalties allowed by law, seek a lifetime ban on animal ownership, require psychiatric evaluation and treatment, and obtain restitution for veterinary and investigative costs.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear State’s Attorney Couri,
We are writing regarding the case in which a cat was allegedly strangled, swung by its body, and then subjected to an attempted burning with a torch-style lighter. As reported, officers found the animal deceased with visible injuries and a fabric tied around its neck, and the suspect allegedly resisted arrest and struck an officer. These allegations describe extreme, intentional cruelty.
If the evidence presented in court substantiates these facts, we respectfully urge your office to seek the maximum lawful sentence. We also ask that you pursue a lifetime prohibition on owning, possessing, or residing with animals; restitution to cover veterinary and investigative expenses; and mandated psychological evaluation and treatment as conditions of any sentence or probation.
A decisive outcome in this case will help protect vulnerable animals and reinforce community safety. Thank you for prioritizing animal-cruelty prosecutions and for ensuring that, where proven, such actions carry meaningful consequences.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Krysten Merriman
This is horrifying and disgusting. Humans are the most cruel species on the planet.
NO animal deserves to be a victim of DEHUMANIZED and DESENSITIZED sadistic psychopaths.
Crimes committed against animals are increasingly grotesque because the punishment for animal abuse is not severe enough, and in many cases does not exist.
A slap on the wrist is a MOCKERY of animal victims.
This person is insane!! Put them in prison for life!! They will continue to do crimes like this forever!!
This guy should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and never allowed near an animal ever again!!!!!!!!! WHAT IN THE NAME OF SAM HILL IS THE MATTER WITH SOME PEOPLE?????????!!!!!!!!!!
Dieses Monster hat dieses arme Kätzchen schon lange gequält er ist eine gefährliche Bestie ein widerlicher Physophat und man sollte mit ihm das gleiche machen, diese Gesetze sind ein Witz und die Strafen eine Schande und ein Hohn für all die armen unschuldigen Seelen, ich hasse diese Kreaturen abgrundtief. Geben sie diesem Stück Scheiße was er verdient. Im Namen der Tiere GERECHTIGKEIT FÜR DIESES ARME KÄTZCHEN!!!!
We should hang and burn animal abusers, not just to protect animals but to protect humans. Just get rid of these subhumans.
I’m with you – there is no fixing these evil beings. For the safety of all living things, they have got to be killed off. If these states are too sissified to do it, let us animal lovers do it. I’d volunteer my time gladly!
The so called humans who do these horrific acts should be treated to the same treatment. They should know the horror and pain they inflict on the innocents
Absolutely No Tolerance Towards Animal ABUSERS n Cruelty. An eye for an eye fits this crime n should be the punishment. Paws Matter
People like this are pure evil they deserve no leniency no freedom they belong locked up away from society where they cant hurt humans or animals ever again period!
I can’t anymore with these. Why do we never hear of the outcomes? Do these assholes ever get caught and punished? Or are we wasting our time here?
Why do you never publish the scumbags’ names when this stuff happens. Your petitions will NOT do shit, you want justice, someone do the same to that piece of shit. Start a GoFundMe and give the money to the person that nails that son of a bitch. The person’s name is 41-year-old Justin S. Shadwell, Decatur IL. anyone in that area, if you find this dirtbag, you know what to do
I think that is an excellent idea – thank you for naming this piece of rubbish and the go fund me page is one I would donate to.
This is a very disturbing person & should be put away forever! The terrible horror the poor cat suffered!!
The “maximum sentence” is a joke. This POS should be doing hard labor in Siberia for the rest of his miserable life
THIS IS ABSOLUTELY APALLING!!!
WHAT A VERY ‘SICK’ LOSER!!!
IT SHOULD BE ‘TIT FOR TAT’ HOW WOULD THIS DISGUSTING, ‘MONSTER’ LIKE THE SAME ABHORRENT DEATH AS THIS POOR BEAUTIFUL INNOCENT CAT SUFFERED!!
NO DOUBT ABOUT IT LOCK THIS PERPETRATOR UP AND THROW AWAY THE KEY!!!!
HE’S A DEFINITE DANGER IN SOCIETY AND TO ‘ALL’ GOD’S LIVING CREATURES..HUMANS INCLUDED!!
Yes, I agree. Every perpetrator should be named!!!!!
Justin S. Shadwell of Decatur IL. I’m pretty sure no one wants this miscreant walking free in the community!!!!
This sweet little angel cat suffered needlessly at the hands of Shadwell. Let’s see pay back which takes the same form back to him.
And the police did nothing! Makes me sick!
What is this scum’s name? Publicize it so the rest of his future is DESTROYED.
Justin S. Shadwell — rot in hell you POS
America…The Land Of The Free and the Home Of The Cowards…if this had taken place in full view of the public here in Scotland there would have been a crowd of people putting and end to this poor wee souls torture and possibly an end to the demonic abomination who was carrying out this evil attack. What a shameful bunch of cowards these worms were. I would have knocked him the fuck right out and rescued the poor cat
WHY DIDN’T SOMEONE STEP IN WITH A BAT OR A GUN AND AT LEAST TRY TO STOP HIM. YOU ARE PROTECTING A LIVING THING. JUST DONT UNDERSTAND.
A bat or a gun aren’t sufficient. This monster should be very slowly tortured to death!
Hang this monster by the testicles & very very slowly squeeze his testicles in a vice grip (for as long as possible) till they explode. Why do these sadistic, sewer scumbags usually get a slap on the wrist? They must be exposed so vigilantes can finish the job & make their lives a living HELL like what they do to their victims!