PAWTUCKET – State Rep. Doreen Costa, a Republican serving District 31 in Exeter and North Kingstown and a noted animal lover, has filed papers at the Pawtucket Animal Shelter to adopt the stray cat that grabbed headlines this week after a Central Falls custodian kicked it across a school yard.

The Central Fall Police arrested Jeffery Doyle, a 48-year-old resident Pawtucket, on Tuesday evening, Jan. 24, and arraigned him Wednesday morning on felony charges of malicious injury to animals. Witnesses reported that they observed Doyle, a school custodian, kick a cat repeatedly over an area of nearly 100 feet across the Ella Risk School grounds. A Central Falls animal control officer located the feline in question huddled over a mound of snow and barely breathing.

Witnesses identified Doyle as the attacker shortly after police arrived. Police subsequently arrested him. A judicial officer released Doyle on personal recognizance and set a pretrial conference on March 27.

Although the cat sustained life-threatening injuries, according to a news release, it received veterinary care at the Pawtucket Animal Shelter and is now in stable condition.

Costa drove to Pawtucket shortly after she heard the news, but up arriving had to ask directions from this Breeze reporter on how to get to the shelter. She said Thursday she made the trip because she was overcome with sympathy for the cat, which she described as "just a kitten."

"So sweet, how could anyone do that to her?" said Costa, whose home is so filled with animals her friends call it a "zoo."

Costa said she will be headed back to the shelter on Sunday to see how the cat interacts with her and if all goes well the kitty should be in her new home the same day.