West Jordan man arrested for punching kitten, resulting in its death, police say

This post contains material regarding animal abuse. Reader discretion is advised.

WEST JORDAN, Utah ( ABC4 ) — A West Jordan man was arrested on Thursday, Oct. 17, for punching a kitten multiple times, causing animal control to later euthanize the animal, according to West Jordan Police.

Edgar Eduardo Soto, 25, was arrested on one charge of torture of a companion animal (third-degree felony).

On Oct. 7, a West Jordan animal control officer learned that an animal cruelty incident had occurred the day prior, Oct. 6. The incident reportedly happened at a residence on the 7300 block of South Aerie Hill Drive in West Jordan.

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The animal owner reported that Soto had been alone with her kitten named Marge — a domestic long-haired cat — when Soto called her to say that "something had happened," according to an affidavit of probable cause.

Soto reportedly told the owner that he had given Marge a bath when he "slipped and fell," injuring the kitten. Soto took Marge to a veterinarian at around 3 p.m. on Oct. 6, but "very little treatment was provided because of funding," the affidavit states.

Soto took the kitten home and an animal control officer came the next morning, Oct. 7. The officer examined the kitten and found it to be "in an extreme amount of pain," the affidavit states.

The kitten was humanely euthanized due to the extent of the injuries and the prognosis and advisement of the veterinarian, police said. A necropsy was performed, which showed "grossly severe hemorrhage of the brain, left temporal bone, pulmonary hemorrhage, and peri-scleral hemorrhage," the affidavit states.

On Thursday, Oct. 17, investigators interviewed Soto regarding the incident. Soto admitted to "placing a blanket over the companion animal, Marge, and striking her three to four times with his fist," the affidavit states.

"Edgar Soto tortured the companion animal by intentionally and knowingly causing and inflicting extreme physical pain in an atrocious and cruel manner," the affidavit states. "A Veterinarian examined Marge and determined that euthanasia was the most appropriate treatment due to the extent of her injuries inflicted by Edgar; resulting in Marge's death."

Soto was booked into Salt Lake County Jail on the aforementioned charges.

No further information is available at this time.