Fact Check: "Three men admitted to putting live cats in a trash compactor!"
What We Know
In February 2025, three employees of Jayco RV in Middlebury, Indiana, were involved in an incident where they placed two living stray cats inside a microwave box, which was then put into a trash compactor. The men, John Lipscomb, Travis McKay, and Arlin Hochstetler, admitted to this act during police investigations. According to reports, Lipscomb stated that they were having difficulty managing stray cats on the property, and after one cat got its claw stuck in a cage, he cut it off. The cats were subsequently placed in a box, taped up, and disposed of in the compactor to "eliminate the nuisance" of the stray cats (South Bend Tribune, ABC57).
Initially, the men were charged with two level six felonies for torturing or mutilating a vertebrate animal on June 9, 2025. However, these charges were dismissed on June 13 due to a clerical error, and the prosecutor's office later decided not to refile the charges, citing that the men did not intend to prolong the cats' suffering and that the cats had damaged company property (WSBT, WNDU).
Analysis
The claim that three men admitted to putting live cats in a trash compactor is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The incident was reported by local news outlets, including the South Bend Tribune and ABC57, which detailed the men's admissions and the subsequent legal proceedings.
The dismissal of charges was based on a clerical error and the prosecutor's assessment of intent, which has raised public outcry and protests demanding justice for the animals. The protests highlighted community sentiment against animal cruelty and the perceived leniency of the legal system in this case (WSBT, WNDU).
The sources used in this analysis are reliable local news outlets that have covered the incident extensively. They provide detailed accounts of the events and the community's reaction, which adds credibility to the claims made.
Conclusion
The claim that three men admitted to putting live cats in a trash compactor is True. The evidence from multiple news reports confirms that the men involved admitted to their actions, and the legal proceedings surrounding the incident were well-documented. The public's reaction and protests further underscore the seriousness of the situation and the community's demand for accountability.
Sources
- Elkhart protesters demand men who put cats in compactor be charged
- Prosecutor offers details on decision not to charge 3 men who ... - ABC57
- Protesters demand justice for cats after charges dropped against two ...
- Charges dismissed against RV workers accused of putting cats in trash ...
- UPDATE: Charges dismissed against Jayco workers alleged to have killed ...
- Protesters in Elkhart demand justice for cats killed in trash compactor ...
