Woman Arrested for Allegedly ‘Strangling Cat’ in Apartment Lobby: ‘It Was Very, Very Shocking’

Police said the woman was arrested on animal cruelty charges and the cat was sent to a nearby humane society

A woman in Washington was arrested after police allegedly found her abusing a cat in an apartment complex.

In a statement shared on social media on Thursday, Sept. 12, the Vancouver Police Department said the woman had been detained after she was allegedly seen “strangling a cat.”

The department said that detectives with its domestic violence unit had gone to a residential complex “for an unrelated call for service" when an apartment manager informed them about a “tenant who was seen in the lobby strangling a cat.”

Detectives said they were eventually able to locate the woman, and they arrested her on charges of animal cruelty.

The cat, whose name is Apollo, is “fortunately okay” and was transported to a local humane society, police said.

Related: Owner of Rescue Organization Charged with Animal Cruelty After Authorities Find 12 Animal Carcasses

According to a police report obtained by KPTV, the woman arrested for the incident was identified as 34-year-old Amanda Nichole Blanco.

A bystander who lives at the apartment building told the outlet that she and others contacted Vancouver police after witnessing what happened.

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“It was very, very shocking,” one witness who did not want to identify herself told KPTV. “I didn't wake up expecting to witness that. Regardless of where you find yourself, if you see any type of animal abuse, you should report it.”

Detectives said in the police report, which was also obtained by KATU, that Blanco appeared to be under the influence of drugs. Authorities added, per the report, that they observed her holding the cat by the neck as she walked around, the outlet said.

Related: 27 Animals Found Dead at a Virginia Zoo Amid Animal Cruelty Investigation, Bengal Tiger Euthanized

Blanco also allegedly appeared to shake the animal and “squeeze the neck” of the cat with both hands, the police report said, per KPTV and KATU.

The woman told officers, according to the outlets, that the cat had been her emotional support animal.

Sam Ellingson, a spokesperson for Humane Society for Southwest Washington, where the Apollo was sent, told KPTV in a statement, “Any instance of pet cruelty is heartbreaking.”

“We’re grateful to have the opportunity to provide the care and support this cat needs and deserves,” he continued. “If anyone in our community witnesses a pet being abused or neglected, they should contact their local animal control or protection service.”

The Humane Society for Southwest Washington and the Vancouver Police Department did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

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