Yucaipa man arrested, accused of strangling ex-girlfriend's cat to death

YUCAIPA, Calif. - A Yucaipa man is accused of strangling his ex-girlfriend's cat to death. 

Michael Herden, 37, was arrested on Monday for felony animal cruelty and an outstanding warrant for public intoxication.

Yucaipa Police said Herden sent text messages to his ex-girlfriend threatening to kill her animals. When she got home, she found her cat apparently strangled to death along with Herden inside her residence, police said.

Authorities said that deputies found Herden inside the home, apparently intoxicated. He was taken into custody without incident. Investigating deputies found numerous scratches on his arms.

County Animal Control took possession of the deceased cat and a necropsy will be conducted to confirm its cause of death. 

Anyone with information related to the investigation was asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Yucaipa Station at 909-918-2305. Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may contact We-Tip at 1-888-78-CRIME or you may leave information on the We-Tip Hotline at www.wetip.com.