Police: Man threw crated cat into water-filled ditch

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A St. Petersburg, Florida man faces animal cruelty charges after police say he threw a cat, inside a carrier, into a water-filled ditch.

The St. Petersburg Police Department says a witness may have made the difference in saving the cat's life.

It happened Wednesday near a business in the 4000 block of 4th Street North. 

The witness told officers they saw Scott Rush, 48, throw the cat and carrier into a ditch filled with water.

Police said when Rush realized he was being watched, he grabbed the carrier and took it to an area near dumpsters behind the business.

The witness said Rush took the cat out of the carrier and started kicking and hitting it.

Rush was charged with felony cruelty to an animal. 

The cat was checked out a veterinarian office, and then taken to Pinellas Animal Services.