An Arkansas Catholic church pastor was hit with animal cruelty charges after cops came upon a grisly scene inside his home this week — including a pair of drowned cats, according to police and reports.
Charles Thessing, 63, was busted Tuesday after police got a tip and searched his home — finding the sickening scene inside, West Memphis police said in a Facebook post Wednesday.
He has since been suspended by the Diocese of Little Rock.
“Animal cruelty will NOT be tolerated in our community,” the department said.
The case began with a video sent to West Memphis Animal Control on Feb. 7, which led to a police investigation and a search warrant executed at Thessing’s home, WREG-TV reported.
Inside, cops found animal traps and two cats that appeared to have drowned in a tank of water on the pastor’s property, according to the outlet.
“We take all matters of public concern seriously, especially those affecting the well-being of animals in our community,” West Memphis Animal Shelter Director Kerry Facello told WREG.
“Animal cruelty cases are a top priority and we will always enforce the law to protect the animals in our care,” Facello added.
According to the website of the Diocese of Little Rock, Thessing is assigned to St. Michael and is also listed as pastor of Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Crawfordsville.
In a letter to parishioners Wednesday, Little Rock Bishop Anthony Taylor said Thessing was suspended.
“Having heard from numerous voices within the parish, the school and the broader community, having consulted with others and having given this matter much prayer and consideration, I have determined that Fr. Thessing cannot continue serving as an effective pastor,” Taylor wrote.
“Thus, I have already communicated to him that he is suspended from functioning as your pastor.”
Online records show that Thessing was booked at the Crittenden County Jail on Tuesday morning and released after posting a bond less than two hours later.
The amount of the bond was not immediately available.
He faces two counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, police said.
Read the full article here