Branch Township man pleads to animal killing charge. 

Brandon Jablonski, left, with attorney Tracy Dinehart

Branch Township man pleads to animal killing charge. 

LUDINGTON — A 30-year-old Branch Township man accused of shooting a cat pleaded no contest in 51st Circuit Court today on the charge of second degree killing/torturing an animal. Brandon Matthew Jablonski was initially charged with second degree killing/torturing an animal and reckless use of firearms after he was arrested on March 15, 2022 by the Mason County Sheriff’s Office. During court on Tuesday, July 12, Jablonski agreed to a plea agreement that dismissed the felony firearms charge in exchange for the plea of the animal killing charge.

Sentencing guidelines for the charge are 0 to 6 months in jail. 

Judge Susan Sniegowski read a Mason County Sheriff’s Office report that stated the incident took place in March of this year at Jablonski’s residence in the 200 block of South Gibson Road. A neighbor heard a gun shot and later reviewed a trail camera which showed Jablonski shooting a cat on or near a fence. 

Jablonski will be sentenced on Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. 

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