Iowa Woman Allegedly Punished Cats For Fighting By Putting Them In Washer, Turning It On, Court Records Show

An Iowa woman was arrested for animal torture and abuse after she allegedly put two cats into a washing machine and turned it on, police said.

According to court records, Maria Phillips, 57, was arrested in Des Moines on Dec. 17 in connection with the incident, MyPanhandle.com reported.

Phillips allegedly put the two cats into the machine as punishment for them fighting with each other, the court records state.

One cat died from its injuries, while the other was treated for head trauma and water in the ears.