South Elgin man pleads guilty in animal cruelty case

A South Elgin man pleaded guilty to misdemeanor animal cruelty Wednesday for his role in breaking a cat's leg during a domestic dispute and was sentenced to 18 months supervision.

John Rodriguez, 46, of the 350 block of Woodridge Circle, also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor battery, was fined $1,450 and must attend domestic violence counseling, court records show.

His attorney, Gary Topol, could not immediately be reached for comment.

Rodriguez initially was charged with felony animal cruelty, a crime that has a sentencing range of probation up to three years in prison, along with domestic battery as a result of the Feb. 15, 2010 episode.

Prosecutors dropped the felony cruelty charge Wednesday.

South Elgin police said Rodriguez became angry during a domestic dispute, pushed a woman and threw a pet cat that was walking near him. The cat struck a hard surface and suffered a broken leg.

Rodriguez, who had no prior criminal history in Kane County, is due in court again on Sept. 15.