A Beaver Township man began serving a 10-day jail sentence on Wednesday, after pleading guilty earlier to animal cruelty and a firearm specification.

Daniel Curl, 39, who was also ordered to pay $1,761 in restitution, was indicted in connection with a September 2024 incident in which Curl shot a cat with a .22 caliber gun. According to a police report, Curl admitted to shooting the cat, which belonged to his cousin, and attempting to shoot it a second time. Curl told police he routinely shoots raccoons that come onto his porch.

Curl entered a guilty plea before Judge Anthony M. D'Apolito and agreed to participate in the court’s Felony Veterans Court program, a specialized initiative designed to provide treatment and supervision for veterans involved in the criminal justice system.

The 12-to-24-month program requires participants to adhere to a treatment plan, submit to random drug testing, attend regular court hearings, and complete community service. Successful completion of the program could result in the dismissal of the charges.

Animal cruelty charges carry a potential sentence of up to 12 months in prison and a $2,500 fine, while the firearm specification carries a mandatory three-year prison term.