Kitten Was High-Strung' Owner Allegedly Told Officers
LINCOLN, Neb. -- A kitten is recovering after allegedly being stuffed in a bong while its owner smoked marijuana at the same time.
Lincoln investigators said that 20-year-old Acea Schomaker is accused of animal cruelty for the act.
The kitten -- 6-month-old Shadow -- is being treated at a Lincoln animal shelter.
Deputies said they witnessed the animal being trapped inside the homemade bong as it was being smoked.
“I have never seen anything like this before,” Lancaster County Chief Deputy Bill Jarrett said.
The bong is made of Plexiglas and is about the size of shoebox.
“[It was] taped shut so the cat was exposed to large amounts of marijuana smoke,” Jarrett said.
Schomaker was wanted on a warrant for possession of marijuana. Deputies found him in his home south of Lincoln.
They said he was smoking the bong when they arrived.
Shoemaker allegedly told deputies the kitten was high strung and needed to be put in the bong to keep it calm.
“The cat appeared to be very lethargic, somewhat in a sleeping state,” Jarrett said.
Capital Humane Society officials said they have taken X-rays and done other tests to see if the kitten has any long-term affects from the alleged abuse.
“The individual stated he had done this several times,” agent Bob Downey said.
The shelter workers said they are working with the sheriff's office and the county attorney to get custody of the animal so it can be put up for adoption.
“We'll find a home where it will not be subjected to this type of treatment anymore,” Downey said.
Schomaker was cited for misdemeanor animal cruelty.
That charge could be upgraded to a felony if the kitten dies or has long-term effects from the alleged abuse.
A misdemeanor conviction could mean up to a year in jail time, a felony conviction would put Schomaker away for up to five years.
