Cops: South Elgin man threw cat, broke its leg

A South Elgin man was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals after throwing a cat and breaking its leg, police said Tuesday.

John Rodriguez, 45, was arrested shortly before 5 p.m. Monday after police responded to a domestic disturbance at his home on the 300 block of Woodridge Circle.

South Elgin Police Sgt. Mike Doty said Rodriguez had gotten mad and thrown a pet cat against a hard surface, breaking its leg.

"My understanding is, the cat was walking near him, and he was upset and threw the cat," Doty said. "The animal should be going through surgery (Tuesday) to repair the leg."

Rodriguez was charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, a Class 4 felony punishable by up to three years in prison, and misdemeanor animal cruelty. He also was charged with misdemeanor domestic battery, Doty said, for shoving a woman at his residence.

Rodriguez, who is free on bond, appears to have no prior criminal history in Kane County, according to court records. He is scheduled to appear March 3 in front of Judge James C. Hallock.