DECLAN BAKER'S CRUELTY IN FORFAR: KITTEN TORTURED AND HIS TROUBLED PAST REVEALED

Declan Kevin Baker, born on January 6, 1991, and residing on Craig O’Loch Road in Forfar, became infamous for a particularly heinous act of animal cruelty that shocked the local community and drew widespread condemnation. In February 2009, Baker pleaded guilty to the disturbing incident involving a four-week-old kitten, which he had subjected to a microwave oven in a cruel and sadistic manner.

According to court records and reports, Baker’s actions resulted in the kitten initially surviving the ordeal, but the animal’s condition rapidly deteriorated. The kitten’s paw became swollen, and flesh elsewhere on its tiny body began to decay, indicating severe internal damage. Despite efforts to save the animal, the suffering was deemed unbearable, and six days after the attack, the kitten was euthanized to end its pain. Baker’s explanation for his actions was equally troubling; he claimed that he had consumed half a bottle of whisky and that the act was intended as a joke that had spiraled out of control. He could offer no rational justification for his cruelty.

The kitten belonged to a friend of Baker’s, who was devastated upon discovering what had transpired. The friend promptly contacted the police, leading to Baker’s arrest and subsequent court proceedings. Animal welfare advocates expressed their disappointment that Baker was not sentenced to prison, feeling that his actions warranted a custodial sentence. The incident sparked angry scenes outside the court, where Baker was forced to be escorted away in a police van amid threats and hostility from members of the public. Baker also received death threats, reflecting the community’s outrage over his cruelty.

In January 2010, Baker was informed that he would not be required to complete his community service due to a serious medical condition, the specifics of which were not disclosed. Despite this, he was sentenced to 120 hours of community service and was banned from owning pets for seven years, a ban that expired in 2016.

Further legal issues arose in September 2018 when Baker was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The court heard that he had recently spent two months in a mental health facility, highlighting ongoing struggles with his mental health. Today, Baker is married and has a son. According to his Facebook profile, he describes himself as a “Marfan Syndrome Survivor” and states that he is on the autistic spectrum, providing some context to his personal challenges. Despite his troubled past, Baker’s life has continued, but the shadow of his earlier cruelty remains a stark reminder of the severity of his actions and the ongoing debates surrounding justice and animal welfare in Forfar.