Prineville pastor pleads not guilty to abuse charge for allegedly shooting and blinding ‘Pumpkin’ the kitten

Defense attorney says he shot the cat, believing it was feral and was attacking his chickens

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Jason Swick, 48-year-old pastor at Prineville Church of Christ, was arraigned Wednesday in Crook County Circuit Court and pleaded not guilty to a first-degree animal abuse charge, a Class A misdemeanor, according to our partners at the Prineville Review, who provided the only media coverage inside the courtroom.

The charge stems from allegations that Swick shot a neighborhood cat named Pumpkin multiple times at his home on or about Sept. 8, causing serious physical injury by leaving it permanently blind, before placing it in a dumpster behind the church.​

Pumpkin survived after emergency surgery at a Bend veterinary hospital, having been discovered alive and bleeding by owner Amanda Lougher, who rushed it for treatment following Swick's admission.

Swick posted on Facebook, later deleted, that he believed the cat was feral and attacking his family's chickens, expressing remorse: “I’m so sorry and feel terrible. I was afraid and didn’t know what else to do in the moment.” Lougher noted no private apology or restitution from Swick or his attorneys despite the public post.​

Defense Attorney's Statement

Bend attorney Jason Wheeless of Gilroy Napoli Short Law Group spoke exclusively with the Prineville Review post-hearing.

"We're a bit perplexed about this charge, since the initial law enforcement investigation determined that no wrongdoing was done, and that is actually written into a police report," Wheeless stated. "He determined that no crime had been committed, that, Mr. Swick's chickens were in his coop and that a stray cat or a feral cat had entered the coop and was attacking those chickens. And that because of that, he was doing nothing more than protecting his livestock."​

Wheeless declined to address claims that Swick dumped the wounded cat in the dumpster. Crook County District Attorney Kari Hathorn confirmed the charge, stating, “The District Attorney’s Office believes the law and evidence supports the charge of animal abuse filed against Mr. Swick.  While the deputy’s report references Oregon laws that allow an owner of livestock to protect livestock from dogs, those statutes do not apply in this case." 

Background and Community Reaction

The incident sparked protests at the church and widespread outrage in Prineville. Swick, who lists himself as a basketball referee and holds an active restricted substitute teaching license, works at Crook County High School per state records.

Next Court Steps

Swick signed an agreement Wednesday to obey all laws, keep in touch with his attorney, not possess firearms, weapons or ammunition and not possess any animals. An early-resolution conference is set for January 29 at 2 p.m. If convicted, Swick faces up to a year in jail and fines.