HOPKINTON – A 19-year-old man has been arrested in Hopkinton on charges of animal cruelty after allegedly attempting to set a cat on fire. According to the Hopkinton Independent, police were called to a home on Elm Street on Sunday following reports of the incident.
Police say officers interviewed witnesses and reviewed video footage before arresting Christopher Murphy of Plainville. Under Massachusetts law, animal cruelty as a first offense is punishable by up to seven years in state prison along with substantial fines. Authorities say the full extent of the incident remains under investigation.
