Northern Iowan to be Sentenced for Throwing Cat in River

MASON CITY, Iowa (AP) — A man accused of tossing a cat into the Winnebago River in Mason City is scheduled to be sentenced later this month.

The charge against 69-year-old William Hill was lowered to abandonment of a cat, in exchange for a guilty plea. He'd been charged with animal torture. His sentencing is set for May 26.

Authorities say the cat was inside a duffel bag tossed by Hill into the river near a Mason City bridge on March 21. A couple witnessed what happened and soon retrieved the bag. Inside was the adult calico. Hill turned himself in to authorities a few days later.

A new home for the cat, since named Winnie, has been found with St. Paul, Minnesota, resident.