North Texas man receives 40-year sentence for kitten cruelty

A man in North Texas has been sentenced to a total of 40 years in prison for torturing and killing kittens at a local animal shelter. Gabriel Skyler Caswell, 23, was arrested in July 2023 after reports of dozens of kitten deaths at the Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter. Caswell pleaded guilty to 12 counts of animal cruelty on Tuesday. Each count carries a 10-year sentence, which will be served at the same time. This sentence adds to three earlier sentences given to him in late 2024, bringing the total to 40 years for 15 cases of cruelty. According to officials, 50 kittens died in June 2023 alone. Data indicated that there had been 80 kitten deaths since February 2023, when Caswell started working at the shelter. This number was much higher than the shelter’s usual average of 20 kitten deaths a year. Caswell was caught when a shelter staff member witnessed him abusing a kitten. Investigators then reviewed hours of surveillance footage, which showed him kicking, stomping, and throwing the animals. The graphic evidence moved jurors to tears, and the prosecution decided not to show all the clips due to their disturbing nature. In a statement to detectives, Caswell said he was taking his frustrations out on the kittens. He expressed that he was angry over personal issues, including struggles from his childhood and access to adult materials. Caswell will not be eligible for parole until he has served his full sentence.