Mass. man faces cruelty charge over skunk death

SOUTHBRIDGE (AP) - A Southbridge man is facing an animal cruelty charge for allegedly catching a skunk in a box trap then letting it die slowly over several days.

Lionel Gaumond is scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 9 in after a magistrate on Tuesday found probable cause.

The 62-year-old Gaumond was not arrested.

Authorities say a neighbor discovered the trapped and alive skunk in Gaumond's yard July 12. The neighbor said he told Gaumond about the animal but was ignored. The neighbor finally contacted authorities July 17. By that time the skunk was dead.

Environmental Police say the skunk likely died slowly and painfully.

The Telegram & Gazette (http://bit.ly/U7wT83 ) reports that Gaumond's girlfriend told investigators they were trying to catch and relocate woodchucks, and were afraid of getting sprayed after inadvertently catching the skunk.

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Information from: Telegram & Gazette (Worcester, Mass.), http://www.telegram.com

Cox Media Group