EVERETT, Wash. — An Everett man is facing eight felony charges after neighbors reported him for shooting birds and squirrels around his property, and in one instance, shooting and seriously injuring a neighbor's cat.
Blayne M. Perez faces seven charges of first-degree animal cruelty and one charge of first-degree malicious mischief.
The charges stem from a neighbor's report to Everett police in January 2022 that Perez shot birds and squirrels and then displayed the dead animals around his property. Perez told law enforcement he displayed the carcasses in an attempt to keep the animals away from his home.
A Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officer went to the neighborhood and observed Perez shooting into trees and into the sky from his property. Police served a search warrant on his home in February 2022 and found many animal carcasses on display.
The Fish and Wildlife officer described Perez’s property as “the most disturbing and grotesque scene that he had encountered in his entire career.” according to court documents.
In April of 2022, neighbors said Perez was continuing to shoot birds and squirrels around his neighborhood. Neighbors told police that many of them had removed their bird feeders in hopes of keeping other animals from getting killed.
In September of 2022, a couple reported to Everett police that a man drove by their home and shot their cat. A witness saw part of a license plate that corresponded with a car registered to Perez. Law enforcement had previously seen Perez driving a car that matched the witness's description. Perez was arrested later that day.
Sean and Sarah Moore said their cat was shot with a pellet. The cat had a fractured jaw and lost an eye, costing the Moores $15,000.
The couple got a good look at the car and was able to tell officers what it looked like. Police recognized the description as Perez had been on their radar for months.
"When the cops got here and we described what happened and the make and model of the car he said 'Oh I think I know who this is,'" said Sean Moore.
Sarah Moore learned about some of the other crimes Perez was accused of when neighbors started posting on a community app.
“I saw him and yelled at him and chased his car so I'm thinking 'Omg, is he mad at me? Is he going to try to attack me?' It was just super scary for a long time,” Sarah Moore said.
The news that charges were filed brought some relief and the Moores said they are thankful for police, prosecutors, and help for Hades' medical bills.
“It was entirely random. It had nothing to do with us or where we lived or anything it really had to do with that particular person that was preying on vulnerable animals at that time and our cat happened to be there,” Sarah Moore said.
As for Hades, he’s getting back to his old self.
“He’s doing good. He’s just a big cuddle bug now. He still scares real easily and if he hears a loud noise he’ll take off, but it’s gotten better,” said Sean Moore
The charges were filed by the Washington State Attorney General's Office.
Perez faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison for each count of animal cruelty and 10 years in prison for the count of first-degree malicious mischief. Perez could also face up to a $10,000 fine for each found of animal cruelty and a $20,000 fine for the charge of malicious mischief.