According to the Iowa City Press-Citizen, Gibson Neblett is accused of abusing the cat, named Melvin, "starting in August or earlier, through Sept. 30:"
Melvin suffered bruising near his pelvis in August, and he was taken to a vet "dragging his hind limbs and panting" on Sept. 3, the complaint says. X-rays revealed rib fractures in various stages of healing, and Melvin had hip-joint fractures.According to the news, the cat's owner told the police that Neblett was the only person with it when the injuries occurred. He faces up to two years in prison or a jail sentence not to exceed one year if convicted.
The complaints say Melvin also suffered severe soft tissue damage and needed surgery.
It's worth nothing that he's only been charged with this crime, not convicted of it.