Burien man accused of drowning three cats and threatening to kill his father

Devon Winslow Detweiler, a 31-year-old resident of Burien, has been charged with four felonies, including three counts of first-degree animal cruelty and one count of felony harassment domestic violence. The charges stem from allegations that he drowned three cats, Moose, Lucky, and an unnamed tabby, between July 21 and August 21. In addition to the animal cruelty charges, Detweiler allegedly threatened to kill his father, claiming he would "rip his father's head off" for reporting him to authorities. Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Emmanuelle Dinca reported that Detweiler admitted to killing four cats during a police interview and showed a disturbing desire to harm more animals and potentially humans. Detweiler pleaded not guilty during his arraignment, with a routine pretrial hearing scheduled for September 25.

Prosecutors initially requested bail of $500,000, citing concerns about Detweiler's potential for future violence, but the court set it at $100,000. The case highlights significant issues regarding animal cruelty and domestic violence, raising concerns about community safety. Detweiler's actions and threats have drawn attention to the need for stricter measures against such violent behaviors.