Man killed, burned cat he just bought, then threw fake pipe bomb into business, deputies say

ROME, Ga. — Deputies in Floyd County arrested a man after they say he intentionally and maliciously killed a cat, then created a panic by tossing a fake pipe bomb into a business.

On July 25, deputies say Zachary Ky Murphy, 31, bought a cat from a pet store, and less than two hours after purchasing it, the cat was found on another person’s property, dead and badly burnt.

According to the Rome Police Department, on the same day, Murphy threw a black round cylindrical metal container that simulated a pipe bomb into Alpha Smoke Shop and then quickly ran away from the business.

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The smoke shop was evacuated and the Floyd County Bomb Squad responded.

Murphy was charged with a felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals and a misdemeanor charge of hoax device and terroristic threats and acts.

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