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Updated: Man Dead After Standoff with Missoula Police

By The Associated Press

Story Created: Feb 4, 2010 at 3:02 PM MST

Story Updated: Feb 5, 2010 at 10:18 AM MST

MISSOULA, Mont. - Missoula police say a man committed suicide as an officer tried to serve an arrest warrant at an apartment where a kitten was found badly abused over the weekend.

A Missoula police officer who had gone to Gary Bassett's house to arrest him called 911 at about 1:30 p.m. Thursday to report a shot had been fired at the house, but not by officers. Officers and SWAT team members then gathered outside the apartment.

Missoula County Attorney Fred Van Valkenburg says a felony animal cruelty charge had been filed against Bassett, and an arrest warrant issued. Officers were serving that warrant when the standoff began.

Officers did not release the victim's name.

Police were called to Bassett's residence Sunday night, where they found a limp and near-dead kitten. Police say the owner of the 4-month-old kitten had allegedly tried to drown her in the toilet and had apparently thrown the animal against the wall or stomped on her back, crushing her pelvis. The kitten was euthanized Wednesday.

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Joe said on Thursday, Feb 4 at 7:03 PM

One less D-bag.

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