Eric Felipe Gaskin, Kitten 'Mauler-Declawer,' Sentenced For Animal Cruelty

A D.C. man has been sentenced to a year in jail for two counts of felony animal cruelty against his daughter's kittens.

Eric Felipe Gaskin was arrested last May after "declawing" his child's pets at home. His procedure led to the animals' paralyzation, infection and ultimate death.

"This remains one of the worst cases of animal cruelty I have ever encountered in my more than 20 years in animal welfare," Scott Giacoppo, vide president of external affairs at the Washington Humane Society, said in a statement.

According to the humane society, surgeons found that the bones in the kittens' paws and legs had been crushed, most likely when they tried to escape. Doctors determined that the damage was irreversible and the animals were put down.

Gaskin received his sentence, which also includes three years probation and 40 hours of volunteer service, Friday morning.

"We are pleased to have justice," Giacoppo said. "However, we are disappointed that the judge chose to disregard the prosecution's recommendation for the maximum punishment allowable for this heinous act."

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