SALEM, IL — Salem police arrested 56-year-old Salem man Friday on a charge of aggravated cruelty to animals for allegedly drowning a kitten in the Salem Reservoir.

According to police, Jeffrey Steevens was reportedly upset with the kitten for defecating in the home, placed it in a pet carrier, and then threw both the kitten and pet carrier into the Reservoir.

A woman reportedly told police she witnessed Steevens throw the carrier into the water and despite him telling her it was just trash, she went into the reservoir but was unable to retrieve the carrier before the kitten had died.

Steevens left the area before police arrived, however, they were called to his home later in the day on a report of a domestic distrubance when the owner of the kitten apparently punched Steevens had been punched twice in the face.

Steevens was again gone before police arrived. Officers ultimately later located him at a home on North Dawley Street where he was taken into custody without incident.

Steevens has reportedly filed a battery complaint against the owner of the kitten.