LEWISTON – A local man accused of beating a cat with a broomstick and hurling it over a porch railing has been formally charged.

An Androscoggin County grand jury indicted Gary Lee Monto Tuesday on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals and refusing to submit to arrest.

If convicted of the crimes, the 52-year-old faces up to five years in prison.

Police officers responded to Monto’s second-story home on Sabattus Street at about 8 p.m. on Nov. 30, after dispatchers received a call from someone inside the apartment.

The caller reported that a man was beating a cat and a woman was screaming at him to stop.

When officers arrived, Monto was inside his apartment, and the cat – a female calico named Candy – was lying on the pavement below the porch.

The animal suffered massive head injuries.

She was rushed to a local veterinary clinic and euthanized.

Investigators said Monto beat the cat with a broomstick and kicked it several times before hurling the animal over his porch railing.

According to police, the cat belonged to Monto and a woman who was sharing his apartment at the time.

By Maine statute, the aggravated status of Monto’s charge is reserved for those who exhibit “depraved indifference to animal life or suffering.”

The law, only a couple of years old, is designed to target those who inflict extreme physical pain on an animal.

Monto was also charged with resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

According to the indictment, he attempted to hinder, delay or prevent his arrest by using physical force against one of the responding officers.

He is scheduled to appear in court March 5 to enter his pleas.

[email protected]