Kittens were thrown out of a moving car

HATFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - State Police are looking to file criminal charges against a Hatfield woman who police say threw two kittens out of a moving car.

The incident happened last Saturday on Route 5 when State Police say 54-year-old Judith Thornton of Hatfield, allegedly threw two kittens out of a car she was driving.

One of the kittens died, but according to a witness who called 911, the other cat survived and ran off as police tried to catch it. Kelly Moore is the practice manager at the North King Animal Clinic on Route 5. Moore told 22News the incident happened not far from the practice.

Since then, they've placed humane traps in an effort to catch the missing kitten. According to Moore, “Hopefully if we did find it we might do some x-rays to see if there's any broken bones or fractures or any skin abrasions or damage to indicate that it might have been the one that was thrown.”

The traps have been placed in areas near the practice and Moore says neighbors may have spotted the kitten Friday morning.

State Police spokesman David Procopio told 22News they are looking to file animal cruelty charges against Thornton and are waiting to schedule a show-cause hearing at Hampshire District Courthouse.