Bronx District Attorney Darcel D. Clark announced Jan. 13 that a Bronx man has been indicted on aggravated cruelty to animals and torturing and injuring animals in connection with the death of a cat and after animal rights activists shared their outrage following the circulation of a video on social media of the defendant sadistically torturing the animal.

 

Clark said the defendant, David Mosley, 26, of The Bronx, was arraigned Jan. 13 on aggravated cruelty to animals and torturing and injuring animals before Bronx Supreme Court Justice George Villegas. She said he pleaded not guilty, and he was due back in court in March.

 

“This defendant is accused of the torture of a stray cat that he took into his home,” Clark said. “The defendant’s alleged shocking behavior included posting images of a dead cat on social media and bragging about what he had allegedly done.”

 

According to the investigation, on or about Oct. 11, 2025, the defendant posted a photo on Instagram of himself and a live cat. On or about Oct. 22, 2025, a photo of a cat lying motionless in a pool of what appeared to be blood was posted on Instagram. Detectives searched Mosley’s apartment on Oct. 29, 2025, and observed dried biological material on the floor that was later determined by the ASPCA to be feline blood.

With the assistance of the ASPCA, it was determined that the live cat pictured with Mosley in the Oct. 11 social media post was the same animal pictured in the Oct. 22 Instagram post. Detectives also obtained surveillance video from Mosley’s apartment building that showed him carrying the cat into his apartment on Oct. 9 while it was still alive.

 

When questioned by detectives, Mosley said he had found the cat after it died. Protests were held by animal rights activists outside Bronx Criminal Court in November 2025 when Mosley appeared in court, and they accused him of lying. Mosley is presumed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.

 

According to reporting in November 2025 by the NY Post, Mosley is a “wannabe rapper” and was accused of “butchering a helpless house cat online in a sick satanic ritual.” The Post reported that it was possible Mosley, 26, who the outlet reported went by the alias, Church of Ububal, would get a plea deal if he agreed to a maximum prison sentence on animal cruelty charges.

ANIMAL WELFARE ADVOCATES rally against an alleged cat killer outside Bronx Criminal Court on Nov. 13 2025. Video courtesy of News 12 via YouTube

The outlet reported that Bronx Judge Linda Poust Lopez said in court at the time, “I will not approve a plea deal on the animal cruelty charge unless it is the maximum sentence on that charge,” and adding, “I want you to follow up on your mental health appointments.”

 

Cat welfare group, Little Wanderers NYC, later urged animal welfare advocates to mark their calendars for Mosley’s subsequent court appearance date on March 17, 2026, and to show up at Bronx Criminal Court to protest his actions and call for justice for abused animals including the cat Mosley allegedly tortured and killed.

 

ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVISTS protest Daniel Mosley outside Bronx Criminal Court on Nov. 18, 2025. Video courtest of The NY Post via YouTube

The activists were joined on at least one of the court dates by cat lover, Guardian Angels founder, and former mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa for the protest. Sliwa is famously the owner of around a dozen cats and has frequently used his voice to advocate for the welfare of animals.

 

Norwood News has reached out to the Bronx District Attorney’s office for an update on the latest status of the case following the March 17 court date, and will share more details as we receive them.

 

In May 2023, a Bronx man was charged, as reported, for allegedly slamming an animal’s head against a table and killing it. In August 2025, a Belmont man was arrested after allegedly abusing and malnourishing nine dogs. In May 2024, the owner of a Pitbull that savagely attacked a cat was arrested on animal cruelty and other charges in the University Heights section of The Bronx.

 

In May 2022, 23 alleged River Park Towers gang members were charged with attempted murder, animal cruelty and other charges.  Norwood News readers weighed in on the topic of animal cruelty as part of our Inquiring Photographer series in October 2025.

 

In July 2025, as reported, then-NYC Mayor Eric Adams announced a $1 million investment in animal care centers in the City to increase capacity and hire more staff. City shelters had at one point stopped taking in abandoned animals as they were at capacity. New Yorkers are encouraged to adopt not buy.

For hours and services for each of ACC’s locations call (212) 788-4000, 10AM – 6PM, 7 days a week. For help, please call (212) 788-4000
email: CommunityPets@nycacc.org, nycacc.org/services/surrender.

In other animal-related news, as reported, a man was reportedly seen with a large snake around his neck at Woodlawn subway station on Sunday, May 31. As also reported recently, a Bronx Zoo keeper was hospitalized after he was bitten by a reptile while feeding it.

 

In New York City, animal abuse can be reported by calling 311 or 911 for crimes in progress. The NYPD has an Animal Cruelty Investigation Squad (ACIS) that works with the ASPCA to address and prevent animal cruelty. The ASPCA provides crucial support, including forensic evaluations and medical treatment for rescued animals. 

The case involving Mosley is being prosecuted by Major Case Assistant District Attorney Melanie Smith of the investigations division, under the supervision of Ronald Sannicandro, deputy bureau chief of the special investigations bureau and Craig Cecchini, bureau chief of the special investigations bureau, and under the overall supervision of Denise Kodjo, deputy chief of the investigations division, and Wanda Perez-Maldonado, chief of the investigations division.

 

Clark thanked Intelligence Analyst Gabrielle Aarons of the Bronx District Attorney’s crime strategies bureau, NYPD Sergeant Louis Meade, NYPD Detectives Sandy Nunez, Brian O’Neill of the Bronx DA’s Squad, Sergeant Timothy Cecchine and Detective Jean Seder of the NYPD animal cruelty investigation squad and ASPCA forensic veterinarian Dr. Laura Niestat for their respect work and assistance on the investigation.