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Man Drowns Pets Belonging To San Francisco's 'Cat Lady' In Bay

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) — San Francisco police are looking for witnesses to the drowning of two cats Monday afternoon along the Embarcadero waterfront.

San Francisco Animal Care and Control received a call around 4:15 p.m. saying people were screaming near Pier 14 and the Ferry Building. A woman, known by locals as "Cat Lady" was reportedly attempting to rescue her cats that had been thrown into the Bay as she walked along the Embarcadero.

SF 'Cat Lady's' Pets Killed After Being Thrown In Bay Off Embarcadero

"They saw a woman [who] looked like she was attempting to jump into the Bay," said Vicky Guldbech, captain and operations manager for San Francisco Animal Care and Control, who said she was told the woman had two cats in a carrier when the incident took place. "A gentleman walked up to her and threw them all in the Bay."

The San Francisco Fire Department responded by launching a small boat to recover the woman's items and attempted to rescue the cats. The carrier was retrieved, but it contained one of the cats, who had died. The second cat wasn't recovered.

Animal Care and Control described the suspect as a white male, standing at about six-feet, wearing a black-hooded sweatshirt and that he possibly had a skateboard. Authorities are checking nearby surveillance footage and asking any suspects to come forward with more information.

The cat lady said she doesn't know why the suspect did this and it's unclear whether the suspect knew the victim.

The suspect faces two counts of animal cruelty punishable by up to one year in prison.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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