Bonita Springs man arrested for animal cruelty after allegedly shooting cat with an arrow

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Mark Barrett Hamel, 65

A Bonita Springs man was arrested after allegedly shooting his neighbor’s cat with an arrow, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office said.

A Bonita Springs woman called deputies after she found her cat with an arrow in it’s stomach.

Detectives took over the investigation, and obtained a search warrant for her neighbor, Mark Barrett Hamel, 65. Detectives found a mini crossbow and arrows matching the one that hurt the cat.

Hamel was arrested for animal cruelty, possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance and transported to the Lee County jail.

The cat was taken to a local animal hospital and is expected to recover.

MORE: Charlotte County cracks down on pet cruelty with animal abuse registry

Starting Monday, harsher penalties for animal abusers will go into effect statewide.

Ponce’s Law or Senate Bill 1576 authorizes a court to prohibit certain offenders from owning or having custody or control over animals.

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