Warning issued as cat killer released from ACI

Animal care professionals across the state are being warned to look out for an East Providence man who was released from the ACI last Friday, August 5, after serving time for felony animal abuse and other crimes.

In an advisory sent out last Friday, Law enforcement officials from the Department of Environmental Management wrote that Anthony Stravato, 25, whose last known address was 11 Chedell Drive, Riverside, and his girlfriend, Alyssa Lamountain, 21, of Warren, may seek to acquire more animals.

More on Stravato: Facebook posts paint disturbing picture of convicted cat killer

“Authorities are concerned that Stravato will continue this behavior, possibly seeking to harm larger animals,” the advisory reads. “Stravato is prohibited from owning or being in contact with animals per court order. It is advised that you not allow Stravato or Lamountain to purchase or adopt an animal from your facility.”

Mr. Stravato has a long criminal history in Warren, Bristol and East Providence. In October 2014, East Providence police charged him with killing his family’s cat Cuddles, in Riverside. Police said Mr. Stravato took the family pet to a wooded area near home and repeatedly kicked it. When that didn’t kill the cat, he beat it with a log, dislodging an eye from its socket. Police wrote that Mr. Stravato proceeded to cut the eye from the animal, then set the cat on fire. Reports at the time were that he killed the family cat in hopes of impressing a girl at school.

In early 2015, he pleaded no contest to a cyberstalking charge filed by Bristol police. And last July, Warren police charged him with cyberstalking and cyberharassment, intimidation of a witness and electronically disseminating indecent material to minors.

Deputy Warren Police Chief Joseph Loiselle said last year that police learned Mr. Stravato sent “disturbing” messages to the girl through social media, in which he wrote of harming and mutilating animals.

In addition, he “made comments that were threatening to the young lady, as well as sending an obscene photo to her.”

The intimidation of a witness charge stems from a message a friend of the girl’s allegedly received, in which Mr. Stravato “construed that if there was interference on that person’s part, he would be harmed,” Deputy Chief Loiselle said.

In addition, Warren, Bristol and East Providence police have charged him at various times since 2011 with vandalism, simple assault, trespassing, attempted breaking and entering, felony assault, felony conspiracy and disorderly conduct.

Read about Mr. Stravato's arrest last summer here