Pastor sentenced for shooting cat

A volunteer firefighter who also is a pastor in a homeless shelter received a suspended sentence for shooting a cat.

Jonathan Hubert Powell, 39, said he decapitated the cat, named Garcia, because it was scratching his car, according to his testimony.

But on Monday, Powell said he shot at what he thought was a raccoon or possum.

He was convicted of felony animal cruelty in the April 2006 shooting and received the two-year suspended sentence.

After his sentencing, Powell said he learned some "very valuable lessons" that he hopes to share in his ministry.

"I'm sorry that an animal had to die," he said. "I will admit I made a very poor decision."