Actor Joseph Petcka Killed His Girlfriend’s Cat, NY Post Author Andrea Peyser Says Kitty “Deserved Every Blow”
This has my blood boiling. Not much makes me this angry, but violence against a child, animal, or an elderly person does.
Some actor guy named Joseph Petcka (anybody ever heard of him before now?) killed his girlfriend’s cat and claimed self-defense:
A man accused of slaughtering his girlfriend’s cat was so obsessed with the tiny tabby that he wrote about it in his diary, the tearful woman testified yesterday at his bizarre feline-bludgeoning trial.
In the weeks before lay-about actor Joseph Petcka admittedly kicked cat Norman to death, he was already oddly fixated with earning the skittish orange and white cat’s affection, Lisa Altobelli told a Manhattan jury. [...]
Petcka loved his successful girlfriend, writing her love poems and tenderly drawing her portrait. But Altobelli saw the relationship as “casual,” she told jurors, even as she lavished her love on Norman. She let the cat sleep at the foot of her bed, and called him “my little buddy,” and “my little fluffball.”
Norman, as well, wasn’t feeling the love for the boyfriend.
“When Joe would come into the room, he would start hissing,” Altobelli told jurors. “He was visibly terrified,” she said of Norman. “He would run to the other side of the apartment.”
That should have been the first sign right there to get this sorry sack of fetid fecal matter outta her life. Animals are excellent at gauging people, I have found. And he wrote about the cat in his diary? Did it have a tiny little lock and gold embossed letters that said “My Diary” on the front? Was it pink with little yellow daisies? I thought men kept journals, not “diaries”.
After incidents such as coming home to find the cat wet and shivering and her “boyfriend” offering no explanation, things came to a head:
Things spun wildly out of control on the last day of their six-week affair, March 27, 2007, Altobelli testified.
Petcka ransacked her liquor cabinet, guzzling whiskey, wine and cider.
He threatened to put Norman in the microwave and nuke him, insisting the cat had bit him on the hand.
Altobelli then left, hoping Petcka would cool down.
She knew something was terribly wrong, she told jurors, when she returned home at 5 a.m. and Norman didn’t come running to the door. The cat’s food, fur and feces were everywhere, she said.
She found Norman’s body in his “special spot,” she said – the space under her bedside nightstand where he hid when scared.
“He was dead,” she said, sobbing. “I put my hand there and he was just cold and stiff. I pulled him out.” Then she stopped, unable to continue.
Hell would have frozen over before I would have left my beloved pet alone with a drunken mouthbreather who threatened to put it in the microwave. Either pet and I would have left together or jerkface would have found himself on his sorry behind outside on the sidewalk. Anybody who threatens to microwave my cat is going to be feasting on their own microwaved testicles. However, I’m not going to beat up this girl any more than I am sure she already is doing to herself. I feel for anyone who has to go through something like this, but she certainly showed poor judgement…I’m sure she knows that now, though.
But now we have another NY Post writer chiming in on the subject…Andrea Peyser writes that the little eight-pound kitty “deserved every blow”:
THE stupid cat had it coming.
Forgive me, all you animal- rights nuts, you freaky lovers of things furry, fierce and woefully incontinent. I’ve got something to say to all assorted people who’ve got nothing better to do with their days than stick their noses in another man’s litter box.
The dead cat at the center of a whacked-out catricide trial now eating up precious court time and tax dollars in downtown Manhattan is no innocent wittle victim.
Norman the Cat, who was pummeled to death last year at the age of 8 by an inarguably hot, allegedly drunk, former Met minor leaguer and bit-part actor named Joseph Petcka, had serious issues.
The first of which may have been his name.
Owner Lisa Altobelli testified yesterday that she named Norman after the zhlubby character Norm from “Cheers” – “my favorite show.” Norman Bates sounds more accurate.
No one likes to see a little frisky drowning in a pool of his own blood. Well, not many.
But Petcka had grown tragically fixated on the idea of getting along with the pet pussy that Altobelli called “my little buddy.” He wrote in his diary that he’d made “progress” getting the pea-brained flea bag to allow Petcka to pet him.
Early on March 27, 2007, Altobelli testified, Petcka had too much to drink. She said he chanted, in a weird, sing-songy voice, “Nor-man. Nor-man!”
So Altobelli did what anyone overly attached to a neurotic hairball would do when danger was afoot: She left Petcka alone in her apartment with her beloved cat.
Hours later, Altobelli returned. She found the puss under a table.
“He was cold,” she said, crying crocodile tears and hanging her head petulantly.
Petcka claims the thing sank his teeth into his hand. So he had to violently knock him away.
Innocent victim? Or kitty provocateur?
Why can’t we just ask Petcka to clean a few hundred litter boxes, and end this fiasco?
Well, I’ve got something to say to you, you arrogant, snotty, egotistical, contemptible, odious, sorry excuse for a so-called journalist…there’s no way in the world that a loving pet ever “deserves” to be bludgeoned to death. Even if the kitty were to bite someone, that is no excuse for a grown man to kill it, especially not in such a horrific manner. Let’s see…eight pound cat against grown athletic adult man. Seem like a fair fight to you? Can you even imagine the sort of fury one would have to work up to bludgeon a cat to death?
Not to mention that violence against pets is often directly linked to violence against people…someone who abuses animals is much more likely to also abuse people. What if this had not been a cat, but a child? Would Little Miss Kitty-Hater be so likely to defend this jerk then? Replace ”cat” in the original story above with “toddler” or “child” and see what story you can come up with. Would she have been so quick to label him a hunk then?
(Oh, and this isn’t the only article she’s done on the subject…here’s one where she talks about the trial, and here’s one where she gets orgasmic about what a hunk this guy is.)
Here’s a few stats on the relationship between violence against pets and against people:
Even if a spouse has never been violent towards YOU, it’s vital that you take even the threat of violence against a pet seriously – not only for the pet’s safety, but for your own as well. Tons of research has been done on the issue of animal abuse and the relation to child abuse and spouse battering and the facts are in: threats or actions against your pet are a very strong indicator that violence is on the way for you or your children.
Of 50 shelters surveyed about women and children escaping from domestic violence, 85% said that women in their shelter talked about pet abuse, 63% of children talked about pet abuse, and 83% said that they had observed the coexistence of domestic violence and pet abuse. [...]
Further research indicates that 70% to 75% of women reporting domestic violence also reported that their partner had threatened and/or actually hurt or killed one or more of their pets. Actual (as distinct from threatened) harm to pets represented the majority (57%) of reports.
Chances are, if someone says they are going to hurt your pet, they will…just like if they say they are going to hurt you, they will. At the first sign of threatening behavior towards her cat, this woman should have thrown this guy out on his brains.
Look, I have two cats, littermates, and they don’t always behave like angels. One in particular is very sensitive to changes in emotional atmosphere, and if my husband or either of my kids is arguing with me, he is very likely to sit and ‘holler’ at us (in kittyese, of course), and sometimes he has even smacked or tried to bite the other person, but only in the heat of the moment. Otherwise, he is a very loving cat. He thinks of me as his momma, so in his little kitty brain I guess he is protecting me, even though these people are people he lives with and loves on every other occasion. There are tactics I can use if I feel either kitty is getting out of hand to bring them back into line that calms them down, but neither cat will put up with anyone being “mean” to me. Perhaps Norman had picked up on this guy’s personality and was trying to warn his owner, using the only communication that he had at his disposal, that this jerk was a loser. Our pets communicate with us, we just don’t always recognize it.
I am an animal lover. I bottlefed my cats when they were orphaned at three weeks old. I ran into a burning house, saved one cat, and had to help the firefighters pick through the dark, wet, smoldering ashes to find the other cat (alive and well, albeit wet and dirty, thank God). If you love your animals as much as I do, let the NYP know this will not be tolerated.
I don’t normally do this, but if this sorry excuse for a woman is going to advocate violence against animals then I feel there is no other choice. I urge you to write the NYP and demand that Ms. Peyser be removed from her duties at the NYP, such as they are, at least temporarily. If she can’t grasp that a person being violent to an animal is not only a horrible thing in and of itself, but a sign of worse things to come, then she needs to keep her sorry opinions to herself.
According to the NY Post’s own TOS regarding their forums:
You agree that you will not submit Messages to Forums that:
- are unlawful, threatening, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane or indecent including any communication that constitutes (or encourages conduct that would constitute) a criminal offense, gives rise to civil liability or otherwise violates any local, state, national or international law; [...]
NYP reserves the right to immediately terminate your use of, or access to, this Site at any time if NYP decides at its sole discretion that you have breached this Agreement or any relevant law, rule or regulation or you have engaged in conduct that NYP considers to be inappropriate or unacceptable
I realize columnists are not posting in forums, but why have one set of guidelines for one area and not for another? If someone in the forums made a post like that, it would be removed…so why allow it from a columnist? I urge you to contact the NYP…but by all means, be respectful, do not threaten, do not do or say anything stupid, do not act like a jerk yourself, behave appropriately, but let them know this is outrageous:
Online Editorial and News: Erle Norton
Letters to the Editor: letters@nypost.com
Editorials, Columnists: letters@nypost.com
New York Post
1211 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036-8790
(212) 930-8000
Disclaimer: No, I do not advocate nor do I wish actual physical harm to come to Mr. Petcka or Ms. Peyser. I was just using colorful language to express my complete, utter, and total disgust of their revolting behavior. And I was holding back.
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I’m left speechless at this woman’s remarks. Could she really be this ignorant/cruel? I’m writing to the Post and asking everyone I know to do the same.
What a useless BITCH.
Comment by Rachel — September 19, 2008 @ 9:21 am
Horrific. I sent an email also asking for her to be fired.
Comment by maskay — September 19, 2008 @ 10:02 am
unless a man is a homosexual the only pussy a MAN wants to be involved with will not say meow. no Man wants to have to compete a fur bearing four legged colon for a womans affection The fact is cats hold humans in complete contempt no stupid animal should be abused by man i feel cats may be the exception to the rule you never hear of feral dogs or feral hamsters,ferrets for that matter! Cats are not loyal by any means and think they own you A cat under a car tire is a vote for AMERICA! if your cat weighs less than say a bobcat or a lynx or a mountain lion it is a fraud to felinedom, i will kick one of the frauds in a new york minute , yes i hate a housecat
would you tolerate anyone who rates you lower than they or themselves no you wouldn’t why own a cat i would favor the extermination of feral cats they are the proof that cats are the worst housepet feral cats are proof that cats as a pet suck out loud no one drops other pets off behind the mall to fend for themselves no one hears of wild dogs or snakes living downtown but cats get dropped off everywhere lets get rid of every cat that does not have tags like a properly licensed dog has let’s make cat owner’s give rabies shots like the dogs get make them wear collars and leashes
GOD KNOWS I HATE CATS and also knows i wont abuse an ignorant animal but the house cat has no reason to exist if you kill a stray or feral cat the world is better off who feeds feral cats? the crackpots who ignore the humans do a cat free world is a peaceful world
Comment by evil_uncle_al — September 19, 2008 @ 10:50 am
Hey evil_uncle_al, aka evil demon – YOU SUCK!!!!!!!!!! Never heard of a feral dog????!!! Man, are you stupid! I’ve got one right now! Feral pup showed up here 3 months ago, and is so wild that I still can’t get her tamed! Cats are just another of God’s creatures; and what does He say? “As you do unto the least of these, you do also unto Me”. I love ALL of God’s creatures, except idiots like you and that stupid un-heard of actor that killed that poor cat! May you all roast in Hell!!!!!!!!!!!! No one will ever tell me that my cats don’t love me – it’s so obvious that a blind man could see it with a cane. They provide me with love, affection, happy times, laughter; and they provide a much needed service in pest control around my farm. I thank God every day for all the animals I’ve been blessed to have in my life – my dogs, my birds, my horses, and yes, most definately, my cats.
Comment by Susan Ray — September 19, 2008 @ 11:30 am
Unfortunately, we have people in this world that do these horrific acts to people and animals. We know they generally continue to perform these acts due to inability to perform in certain situations, previous abuse, anger, or just simply out of their minds. All forms of life are precious! If there is one thing that I know is that we as adults are suppose to protect the young and innocent, animals, elderly and the ill. Those who cannot protect themselves. I used to work in an emergency vet clinic and I can tell you that we saw lots of horrible and cruel things. Dogs and cats can come at you for no reason at all or just because they are afraid or injured. That does not mean anyone has the right to brutally attack them and do harm. Most people that do not like cats do not want to put forth the effort in befriending them. Cats are very intelligent creatures, not ignorant. You have to work for a cats love and attention. All animals are smart and special in their own way. If you don’t like them, simply walk away. There are feral cats in this world, and yes that comes from improper population control from not spaying and neuturing. There are also plenty of wild dogs out there that do things to. Things that are in their nature. It is not the fault of the animal, yet the fault of the person that does not do the responsible thing and to help control the strays running loose. To comment on the incorrect information about strays, plenty of dogs are dropped off behind malls, in neighborhoods, etc. People as I said get overwhelmed and feel they cannot take care of them anylonger. So they assume since they are animals, they can fend for themselves. People domesticated these animals, people are to blame not the animals. Do not prey on the weaker one or the one that you feel put out by. I totally agree that this woman was out of line; however, everyone is intitled to their opinion, no matter how blissfully ignorant. If you are in the position to release your opinion to the public, you should be expected to keep certain feelings in check. This is just one of the problems with the media today. I believe in freedom of speech, and I also believe that sometimes some people need to just keep that negativity to themselves and get help. To say that we HATE anything in this world, expecially another life just adds yet one more notch of evil in the air. Negativity spreads through this world like a disease. Hopefully one day all of the anger, hatred and jealousy, etc. can be wiped away and we can all co-exist peacefully. As for as these ignorant acts and remarks, KARMA does come back around. I believe that if someone abuses cats, dogs, children, elderly or whomever….in your next life you come back as one of those you abused. Sometimes walking a mile in another one’s steps makes a difference.
Comment by Jodi — September 19, 2008 @ 11:46 am
peyser has been an ass for years. she is a cruel, nasty columist, so i am not really surprised by what she has written. you should read some of her old columns on britney. really vile towards her. i used to read her and stopped when i realized what a miserable woman she is.
Comment by sally — September 19, 2008 @ 3:28 pm
People who are concerned wih the protection of animals can find better ways to express the merits of their cause than name calling and making erroneous statements. A person does have the right to have an animal killed if that animal is proven to be dangerous, as evidenced by something like a bite.
While I do agree with your statistics that people who have no problem with injuring animals, often turn their sights on people, I have to say that it is a rather big leap to think that Peyser would have written the same article if the victim had been a child. I, too am an animal lover, but there is a thing called out- of – court settlements that Petcka should take advantage of. I realize that I am in the minority here but this case really does take up valuable court time. I say that because this case reeks of a small time actor/waiter trying to get some publicity any way he can. My solution is jail time, a fine and some community service because this guy will milk the situation for all it’s worth.
Comment by nancy — September 19, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
Get rid of the vile evil B—-. She is worthless to the human race, worthless to the world at large, and has no life. She must be one of the most miserable women on the face of the earth. Too bad they didn’t sterilize her mother before she was born and saved society from her evil and vile mouth. Perhaps we should take people like her and sterilize them like we do animals that we don’t want to over populate the world. It would save all of humanity in the future. Does she have kids? I bet she wants to let Manson out of jail. Hey I have an idea – let’s send Manson to live with her and educate her in the ways of the world and man’s violence to other men and animals.
Comment by Michelle — September 19, 2008 @ 3:49 pm
Proven to be dangerous? A couple of little bites? If that is the case then every animal in America must be euthanized.
Perhaps it is more that the cat sensed that this guy was no good and was trying to communicate that. Animals are more intelligent than we give them credit for.
And I did not say that Ms. Peyser would have written the same article if this had been a child. I said replace the word “cat” with “child” or “toddler” in the ORIGINAL article and THEN see if Ms. Peyser would have been so quick to defend this guy and label him a hunk.
But while I agree that sometimes truly dangerous animals must be euthanized, having an animal HUMANELY euthanized is a far, far, FAR cry from bludgeoning a cat to death. The guy appointed himself judge, jury, and executioner. Can you imagine how much anger it takes to stomp an animal to a bloody pulp? To spray its feces, its fur, its blood, on the walls? Can you imagine the mindset that takes?
Comment by k — September 19, 2008 @ 4:30 pm
People like Nancy don’t get it. Never have, never will. Anyone that condones the killing of a woman’s pet cat is almost as sick as the guy who actually did the killing.
Must suck to be so void of emotion like Nancy.
Comment by Gia — September 19, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
This is not up for debate: Animal abuse is not acceptable in civilized society and those who perpetrate should be punished thoroughly. End of discussion.
I hope this is a lesson to people; if someone threatens your animal get them out of your house immediately. Call the police if you have to. Do not leave your pet alone with that person for one second. They have an abusive personality and if they cannot attack you they will use the pet as a substitute. They are a danger to you and your pets and you must get away from them ASAP. The ties between domestic violence and pet abuse have been made clear and you are in danger.
As far as this columnist: She is a disgusting human being. Perhaps she would like to date the defendent and take a few punches in the mouth from him so she can get the point.
Comment by GingerBits — September 19, 2008 @ 7:35 pm
[...] here and here for some great reporting of this [...]
Pingback by Sex & The City Pet Killer. Carrie and Miranda would so not approve. | Daily Actor — September 19, 2008 @ 8:06 pm
Can you imagine kicking an animal to death? I think I would hang myself or drive off a cliff if I did something like that. That is a heart of evil, there is no love in that mans heart at all, just pure sin.
Comment by ginger — September 20, 2008 @ 1:41 am
Anyone who supports beating an animal to death (we’re not talking about humane euthanasia here, people, he beat the cat to DEATH) is beyond decency. Furthermore, animal cruelty is a CRIME. Defending someone who kicks a cat to death is defending a criminal.
Comment by Exyank — September 20, 2008 @ 6:38 am
any man who can hurt any animal in any way is nothing but a coward and anyone who would say that it is ok what he did because the cat didn’t like him is a very disturbed person and should not be allowed to write in any paper.
Comment by debera — September 20, 2008 @ 11:06 am
Any human being who sees nothing wrong with harming, abusing, mutilating and killing innocent animals because of their own personal issues or belief system has lost the fundamental value that makes one human. Compassion. This is why there si such a link between those who harm animals and move on to harm humans. If you cannot feel compassion towards a small innocent life like that of an animal it is no suprise you cannot feel compassion to the lives of people who may or may not be so innocent. Killing is killing no matter what and all life has value even if it isn’t obvious to us.
While I am clearly digusted with the actions of Mr. Petcka it is cleart that he is a very psychologically disturbed individual and that his girlfriend used very poor judgement in leaving him alone with her animal instead of just calling the cops on him. What I find more disturbing is some of the perculair and uninformed rantings in this blog calling for bringing back the ‘american ‘ value of squashing small animals under yoru tires. I can only hope this person is either receiving treatment or they are using sarcasm to illustrate the point of how psychoogically disturbed that very behavior is.
Comment by Akuryo — September 20, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
This guy is a jack***. I hope aspca prosecutes him for killing the cat. Animal abuse is not a joke, if he can treat a animal this way what can he do to a person when he is upset.
Comment by michelle christofilakes — September 20, 2008 @ 7:30 pm
Dear Evil Uncle Al
So you feel that you have to “compete” with an animal for your girlfriend’s attention? Wow! What a real man you must be! Perhaps if your company was more enticing you wouldn’t have to “compete” so hard. America is a wonderful country and excuse me, but I can’t remember anything in the constitution about the need to murder those weaker than yourself. Must of missed that part.
Comment by Diane Menyuk — September 20, 2008 @ 9:09 pm
This writer, as well as the cat-killer, deserve to be drawn and quartered. Animal abuse LEADS TO HUMAN ABUSE (or it accompanies human abuse). This cat-killing is an example of the cruelest form of victimizing the vulnerable. This trial is perfectly justified.
Comment by Observer — September 21, 2008 @ 2:16 pm
You are spot on with this article. My friend dated this jerk about 8 years ago and he assaulted her after dating her for about a year, and she took him to court. This guy has serious issues.
Comment by Jane Simon — September 21, 2008 @ 10:31 pm
It is a proven fact that those who abuse, kill, maim, mutilate animals most often do the same to humans. This man needs to go to prison for taking the life of this innocent creature. But further, he needs serious psychological counseling, because he is one seriously sick, sob. As for his girlfriend…if that guy was kicking around her cat, he was probably doing the same to her, and she chose to ignore the warning signs. She too, needs serious psychological counseling so she never puts herself in an abusive situation again.
As for the journalist, I think some of these people write inflammatory articles to get some buzz going, which in turn “ups” the publication’s readership, keeps them in the public eye, and boosts their ratings.
Comment by Ann — September 23, 2008 @ 1:59 am
Although this case looks like to me that the guy killed the cat out of jealously, but i will put some blame on the girlfriend, she should know from the first day that the cat didn’t like him, she should have not let him into the house, and definitely not leaving him alone, there are circumstances that can be justified for killing a cat, that is why you see the jury is in day 4, to be fair i was watching the court from both sides, i think if the cat was not declawed he would have been cleared from all charges after 1 day, i will tell you a story my friend that had 2 cats one day he started to date a girl, my friend is very messy guy, so he kept piles of clothes all over the apt, she came into the the house and started to clean the house clean up all the huge piles , i guess one of the cat dint like that someone is coming into her territory and cleaning up the piles of cloth where the cats use to sleep on, so the cat started to attack her bit her all over her body, she was in the hospital for a couple of days, she still has marks on her body after 2 years, the cat was in a rage and kept hissing, growling, also started to bite the other cat, the vet had to come down and put the cat to sleep . cats are nice furry lovable animals but some could be very aggressive, i myself also have a cat, every owner know the nature of the cat he or she owns.
Comment by Mandy — September 25, 2008 @ 10:53 pm
Andrea Peyser, should be given as a fluffy pussy pet to Joseph (sociopath) Petcka….let’s see how well she does deserving to be beaten when she apposes it…she can then be beaten to a pulp for refusal.Obviously he abused this cat when Mommy was away, and why Norman hissed at him often. You come back to a cat that’s wet and shaking, he is trying to drown it or someother horrible event is going on for it to sweat from terror. It’s Ok, I am sure, she will not hear the end of her compassion about this story too soon…nor will Petcka, when he gets to jail…they, will just love to make progress with petting Petcka!Porr Norman, he had better judgement about this creep than Norman’s dumb owner. If this paper is stupid enough to keep this woman working, they deserve the same comments.
Comment by Marisa Anderson — September 26, 2008 @ 11:49 pm
I didn’t know Andrea met this guy, and interviewed him, well…..I guess she succumbed to this animal killer,,,that will happen to a lot of woman,,so now she is on her wagon defending him,,eh, lot of woman get so into the person, they can’t see straight,,but behind, what look like phoney blue eyes, is a very disturbed man,,I mean big time,,Andrea showed a side of herself that no reporter should show,,let me tell you,,we have laws,,also animal laws,,and these laws are to be obeyed,,,one of them is ,you don’t kill an animal, stomp it to death..now if you do..(now listen Andrea carefully), you very well might go to jail,,we are a civilized country,,the owner of this cat was within her rights to go to court, and the case took days because of one person holding out,,now this is still within our laws,,so where do you get off,,jumping all over the place,,writing all the really bad articles you wrote,,the laws have already been established..no one in that court was breaking a law,,don’t you know the law??? Or did meeting that phoney looking guy sway you, that had to be hysterical,,I mean woman to woman, come on now Andrea…really…..Daisey
Comment by Daisey — September 28, 2008 @ 11:07 pm
I sent the following letter to the New York Post:
Dear New York Post:
Not only was this Petcka guy an inhumane worthless sorry excuse for a human being, but one of
your own writers validated his inexcusable horrific behavior. You people should be ashamed to have
someone like her in your employ. If she is still in your employ next week I hope you lose most of
your subscribers.
I think somebody twenty times bigger than this creep (hate to give the respect of using Mr. Petcka)
should be allowed to beat on him for a few days!
Sincerely,
Mary Becker
Comment by Mary Becker — September 29, 2008 @ 5:04 pm
I sincerely hope both the petcka and peyser (capital letters are omitted deliberatly on both names)get together, they can then kill each other and leave innocent cats alone.My sincere hope for both of them is to suffer the most horrendeous painful deaths possible, they are both disgusting and contribute nothing. All life is precious, except for these two disgusting excuses for homo sapiens.
A. Cattan
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