CCSO: Naples man arrested for abusing kittens

A 26-year-old Naples man was arrested for abusing two cats.

According to an arrest report, Luis Herin became a suspect of an investigation after a friend of his girlfriend took the couple’s cat to the Naples Cat Alliance to get it checked out because of suspected abuse.

The friend, who is listed as a witness, was helping Herin’s girlfriend move out because Herin was abusive toward her, the report states.

The cat, named Ruby, is a black 1-year-old domestic feline who was adopted from the Naples Humane Society in August. Since then, the cat had dropped 1.5 pounds and was dehydrated. Ruby had her lip ripped off and large swelling behind her left ear.

Ruby’s list of injuries included nine broken ribs, a possible lung collapse and several fractures of the vertebrae of the tail which could result in a loss of nerve function to the tail.

The injuries were consistent with abuse, the report states.

It’s unclear if Ruby survived her injuries.

“Her tail dragged on the ground because her tail was also broken,” said Megan Sobara, the founder of Naples Cat Alliance.

Thankfully, Ruby made it to the Naples Cat Alliance.

Sobara says a friend of Herin’s girlfriend dropped Ruby off.

“She surprisingly was very sweet and not fearful, which is crazy considering the amount of abuse she went through,” Sobara said.

A second cat named Hunter did not make it, sadly.

Detectives with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office learned Hunter was euthanized due to injuries suspected to be caused by Herin.

In this case, Herin’s girlfriend took Hunter, a 4-month-old domestic black shorthair, to Southwest Florida Veterinary Specialists because it was seizing.

Hunter could not stand up, had minimal responsiveness and two broken back legs, making him partially paralyzed.

Hunter was euthanized.

The witness who first took the cat to Naples Cat Alliance said the couple has had about five or six cats and none of them survive to adulthood.

She said she suspected abuse but had not seen it firsthand.

Deputies attempted to interview Herin twice, but he never showed up.

He was arrested on Wednesday and remains in Collier County jail.

Lucky for Ruby, she has a new life in a loving home, thanks to a volunteer.  

“First, she was going to foster her and then she fell in love with her, so she adopted her,” Sobara said. “I hope there’s not going to be a happy ending for her abuser.”