Man accused of abusing North Liberty cat

NORTH LIBERTY - A man is accused of abusing a cat, causing multiple injuries.

According to a North Liberty police criminal complaint, in August 2016 a cat named Melvin experienced bruising near his pelvis. Melvin was taken to a veterinarian on Sept. 3 after he was dragging his hind limbs and panting, police said. X-rays showed multiple rib fractures in various stages of healing, police said.

Police said Melvin also had pelvic fractures which required surgery, severe soft tissue damage to his right hind leg and bruising throughout the underside of his body.

The owner of the cat told police the only person with access to the cat when the injuries occurred was 25-year-old Gibson S. Neblett. Police said Gibson, whose address is withheld on the criminal complaint, admitted to hurting the cat.

Gibson has been arrested and faces one count of animal torture, an aggravated misdemeanor punishable by up to two years in prison.