Destin animal activist 'waiting it out' after kitty sledgehammer case is postponed

Michael Tracy Long Sr., charged with felony animal cruelty for allegedly beating a cat to death, has had his trial postponed until January.

His son, Michael Tracy Long Jr., who faces the same charge, also could receive a continuance.

Both cases were scheduled to be tried Monday in Crestview.

The elder Long's trial has been moved to Jan. 26. Prosecutors will find out Thursday whether the younger Long also will seek to push back his court date, said Bill Bishop, head of the state attorney's office in Okaloosa County.

The reason for the delay is that a witness in the case has experienced health problems and attorneys have been unable to obtain a deposition, Bishop said.

"They've got to get those depositions," Bishop said.

The Longs, who live on Third Avenue in Crestview, are accused of using a hammer to beat a kitten to death Aug. 11, according to police reports.

They were arrested Aug. 28.

A group of animal activists led by Jason Williams of Destin has been following the case closely.

Members had planned to gather at the county courthouse in support of the animal they've dubbed "Crestview Kitty" on the day the Longs went to court.

Williams said Tuesday that his group will continue to monitor the case and plans to demonstrate in January in support of the cat.

"We're not going to set anything in stone, it's so hard to follow," he said.

"I don't want to get my friends and everybody up there if it's going to be a bust," Williams said. "We're just going to wait it out and wait and see what happens.