MANITOWOC, WI (WTAQ) - The man charged with duct-taping his cat and dumping it into the Manitowoc River has pleaded not guilty.

49-year-old Michael Wasurick entered his plea Monday after prosecutors filed a misdemeanor charge of intentionally mistreating an animal.

On September 30, a fisherman found the cat in the river. Officials say the cat was suffocated, tied up with duct tape and tossed into the water.

Wasurick was arrested last Wednesday. Authorities say he was feeling suicidal, but decided to kill the cat instead. He told police he had owned the animal for about 10 years.