Clovis man faces animal cruelty charges

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A man is facing animal cruelty charges after Clovis police found a cat bound with electrical tape stuffed in his backpack.

Cody High, 24, was stopped Sunday morning behind the Walmart on Shaw near Peach Streets after getting reports of a suspicious bicyclist.

They opened High's backpack because he's on probation for drug violations, and found a cat with electrical tape wrapped around its neck, face, nose and legs.

The officers thought the animal was dead, but after removing the tape from its mouth, the cat started to breathe on its own. Clovis animal control took it to a vet for emergency treatment.

Authorities say the cat has a microchip, and they're now working to return it home.