TONAWANDA, N.Y. -- When Buffalo Police stopped Gary Korkuc for failing to signal for a turn, they heard the mewing of a cat coming from the car.
Officers discovered 4-year-old Navarro in a cage inside the trunk. The cat had been coated with cooking oil, crushed red pepper, chili powder and salt.
Police said Korkuc admitted he planned to cook and eat Navarro. The Cheektowaga man said the cat had been acting out of control.
"When he was brought here, he was in rough shape. He was still purring, still trying to be very friendly, but having a hard time," said Gina Browning, public relations director of the Erie County SPCA.
After Navarro was rescued, he was returned to the Erie County SPCA, where Korkuc adopted him just this past May.
One local woman saw the story in the news and she showed up to give the cat a new name, and a new home.
"It gives you a burning sensation in your chest and in your stomach,” said Vickie Dankowski, who adopted the cat. “To think that someone could contemplate doing something that notorious to a beautiful gentle animal."
"I’m delighted that the cat's alright and everything turned out alright,” said Erie County SPCA Executive Director Barbara Carr. “I'm sad that someone has that kind of problem in their life, and it's probably a recurring situation."
Vickie renamed the cat Oliver. She hopes he will be a companion for her other cat.
"I’m going to give him a lot of love and attention and TLC, and I guarantee you he will be happy with me and his new sister Annabelle."
Police charged Korkuc with a count of aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony, and two traffic violations.
As for his former cat, it appears Oliver has made it out of the frying pan, and into a loving new home.
should it be illegal to eat your animals?
i dont really understand how its ok to raise a cow or goat or turkey, which you will ultimately kill and eat, but its not ok to eat a cat?