Sage is a one-year-old cat who should have been safe in a home. Instead, he was brutally abused — thrown from an upper floor and then violently slammed to the ground by his tail. He was left with fractured ribs, a broken tail, and serious internal injuries.

Surveillance footage reviewed by MSPCA Law Enforcement reportedly shows a man — now identified as Jaydan Depina of Cambridge — carrying out this violent act. Sage survived, but only barely.

This wasn’t a one-time injury. Vets say Sage had prior rib and toe fractures, likely from earlier abuse. He’s now recovering at MSPCA-Angell, where staff say he’s becoming social and loving again — proof of his resilience and the power of care.

But we can’t rely on rescue alone. We need real accountability.

Depina has been charged with two counts of animal cruelty. But too often, animal cruelty cases end with light sentences, probation, or no real consequences at all. In Massachusetts, where animals are still considered property under many laws, justice is rarely guaranteed.

We’re calling on the Middlesex County District Attorney and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to pursue the maximum sentence under the law in this case — and to commit to enforcing animal cruelty laws more aggressively statewide.

Sage deserves justice. And Massachusetts deserves to send a clear message: animal abuse will not be tolerated — not in Cambridge, not anywhere.

If you believe what happened to Sage is sickening, heartbreaking, and unacceptable, add your name to demand full prosecution and strong penalties in this case. We owe that to Sage — and to every animal still waiting for help.