Plea deal in Santa Rosa cat strangulation

A Santa Rosa man and his mother pleaded no contest Monday to felony animal abuse in the strangling of the family’s cat.

Christopher Craft, 22, and his mother, Lori Craft, 50, entered the pleas as part of an agreement to serve no more than a year in the county jail. Their sentencing was set for Aug. 11.

Judge Gary Medvigy, who has the option of giving them probation only, said he might reduce the charges to misdemeanors after reading a probation department report. Medvigy ordered both defendants to be released Monday.

Christopher Craft has been in jail since June 18 and his mother was arrested the next day when she showed up in court.

Prosecutors said Craft strangled the cat at his Grand Avenue home 12 days ago after a night of drinking. Police found it buried in his backyard after roommates reported the abuse.

In an interview before her arrest, the mother said her son got mad at the cat after it sprayed their house, clothing and cars over a three-month period.

You can reach Staff Writer Paul Payne at 568-5312 or paul.payne@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @ppayne.