NEWS

Police: Man admitted to abusing cat in North Liberty

Holly Hines
hhines2@press-citizen.com

North Liberty police say a man charged with animal torture admitted to hurting a cat in recent weeks.

A police complaint says Gibson S. Neblett, 25, whose address was withheld from the complaint, abused a cat named Melvin living in a home in North Liberty, starting in August or earlier, through Sept. 30.

The cat's owner told police Neblett was the only person with Melvin when the injuries occurred, the complaint says.

North Liberty Police Sgt. Tyson Landsgard said Friday that Melvin is doing OK and expected to recover.

Melvin suffered bruising near his pelvis in August, and he was taken to a vet "dragging his hind limbs and panting" on Sept. 3, the complaint says. X-rays revealed rib fractures in various stages of healing, and Melvin had hip-joint fractures.

The complaints say Melvin also suffered severe soft tissue damage and needed surgery.

Police charged Neblett with first-offense animal torture, an aggravated misdemeanor, and he faces a prison sentence of up to two years or a jail sentence not to exceed one year. He was released Friday afternoon from the Johnson County Jail.

Reach Holly Hines at hhines2@press-citizen.com or at 319-887-5414 and follow her on Twitter at @HollyJHines.