Police seek Lisle man accused of drowning his pet cat

A DuPage County judge has issued a warrant for a Lisle man wanted on animal cruelty charges.

Joseph Moreno, 29, of the 400 block of Walnut Creek Lane, is wanted on a charge of cruel treatment of an animal. The $20,000 arrest warrant was issued May 17 by Judge George Ford.

According to court documents, Moreno held his cat, Cheeto, underwater, "causing Cheeto to inhale water and ultimately leading to Cheeto's death."

Lisle Deputy Police Chief Ron Wilke said Friday Moreno's wife took the cat to a veterinarian on Feb. 25. Suspecting animal abuse, the vet contacted police. Cheeto died on March 1.

The cat was then sent for testing before charges were filed and the warrant was issued.

"We have attempted to talk to (Moreno) about this, but he has thus far managed to avoid any conversation with us," Wilke said. "If he'd do the right thing and turn himself in, we'd gladly process him so he can have his day in court."