Man sentenced for brutal cat abuse in Providencia, banned from owning animals for life

A man in Providencia has been sentenced for severe animal cruelty after brutally assaulting a cat. Tomás San Francisco, 21, received a 60-day suspended sentence, a fine, and a permanent ban on owning any animals. The incident, which occurred on June 21, 2025, involved San Francisco repeatedly punching a cat he was carrying in a bag, then slamming it to the ground and hitting it with his knee. The cat suffered a spinal fracture and kyphosis, requiring nearly a year of complex veterinary treatment before being released to a new family in April 2026. The 8th Guarantee Court of Santiago issued the sentence, with the Municipality of Providencia acting as the plaintiff. This marks a significant legal precedent, as it is the first time a municipality has successfully prosecuted such a case, utilizing security camera footage and its own security teams for intervention. The cat, now named "Tyson," is recovering well under the care of its new owners.