Prineville, Ore. — The Crook County District Attorney’s Office has filed a charge of first-degree animal abuse against Pastor Jason Swick, following an investigation into the shooting of a neighborhood cat that drew widespread outrage across the Prineville community earlier this month.
District Attorney Kari Hathorn confirmed the charge to the Prineville Review this afternoon.
“The Crook County District Attorney’s Office has charged Jason Swick with one count of Animal Abuse in the First Degree,” said Hathorn. “We will continue to work closely with law enforcement and the cat’s owner as the prosecution and investigation continues. We are unable to comment further on the matter.”
The case stems from allegations that Swick shot a cat named Pumpkin multiple times at his private residence before placing the injured animal in a dumpster at the Prineville Church of Christ, where he serves as pastor. Swick’s charging document confirms it was filed as a Class A misdemeanor.
“The defendant, on or about September 8, 2025, in Crook County, Oregon, did unlawfully and recklessly cause serious physical injury or death to an animal,” wrote Deputy District Attorney Kyle Pearson.
Depending on the circumstances, the charge of first-degree animal abuse can be either a Class A misdemeanor or a Class C felony. If convicted on the misdemeanor-level charge, Swick could be prohibited from owning any animals for up to five years under Oregon law.
Swick is also reportedly a substitute high school teacher, according to his bio on the Prineville Church of Christ website. State records confirmed he holds an active restricted substitute teaching license. When reached for comment, Crook County School District Superintendent Joel Hoff said he was not immediately aware if Swick had involvement at Crook County High School, but stated substitute teachers are procured through a contract with the High Desert Education Service District. We have not yet heard back from the High Desert ESD.
As we previously reported, Pumpkin survived the shooting but sustained severe facial injuries that left him permanently blind after emergency surgery at a Bend veterinary hospital. The cat’s owner, Amanda Lougher, told the Prineville Review she located Pumpkin still alive and bleeding in the dumpster after Swick admitted to her that he had disposed of the animal there. Lougher said she called 911, and deputies arrived as she pulled the cat out of the trash bag and rushed him to the vet.
Swick later acknowledged the shooting in a Facebook post, claiming he believed the cat was feral and had been attacking his family’s chickens. “I’m so sorry and feel terrible. I was afraid and didn’t know what else to do in the moment,” he wrote. “I wish things could have been different.”
The incident prompted community protests outside the church and widespread condemnation online. Local business owner Ken Wilson, who previously operated his fruit stand in the church parking lot, told the Prineville Review he would no longer do so. “As an animal owner myself, I completely do not agree with anything that has happened,” Wilson said, calling the act “inhumane and indefensible.”
Sheriff’s officials said at the time that all parties had cooperated and urged the public to allow the legal process to unfold. Under Oregon law, a person commits first-degree animal abuse when they intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly cause serious physical injury or death to an animal without legal justification.
In an interview earlier today, following confirmation of the formal charge, Lougher said she met with the district attorney earlier in the week and was relieved the case had moved forward. “He deserves some kind of consequence,” she said. “I trust what they’re going to do. I understand why there couldn’t be more charges, but I’m appreciative that the DA is taking it seriously.”
Lougher said she remains frustrated that despite Swick’s public apology on Facebook, neither he nor his attorneys ever reached out privately to offer restitution or express remorse directly to her family. “He never called. His attorneys never called. Nobody offered to help with anything or to make it right,” she said. “The only reason I even saw his apology is because people sent me screenshots before he deleted it.”
She also urged the community to avoid turning anger into harassment. “I would hate to see people get their pitchforks out,” she said. “Hate spreads hate, and I don’t want that. At the end of the day, I got my kitty back — he’s blind, but he’s alive, and we’ve found ways to work around it. I’m just giving it to God and trying to move forward.”
Lougher has continued to share updates via social media on Pumpkin, expressing gratitude for the support received through a GoFundMe campaign and local donations. “Everyone has been phenomenal and supportive,” Lougher said earlier this week. “Just keep praying for Pumpkin — and for my kids.”
Hathorn advised Swick of an opportunity for a “voluntary” appearance, stating that if he failed to do so, her office would seek a warrant for his arrest, according to an Oct. 23rd letter obtained by the Prineville Review.
Court records indicate Swick is expected to make his initial appearance in Crook County Circuit Court on December 3rd at 9:15 am. The Prineville Review has reached out multiple times in the past for comment from Swick but has never received a response.
Note: This story was updated shortly after publication after it was confirmed that Swick was a licensed substitute teacher with the State of Oregon.
Mr. Alderman is an investigative journalist specializing in government transparency, non-profit accountability, consumer protection, and is a subject mater expert on Oregon’s public records and meetings laws. As a former U.S. Army Military Police Officer, he brings a disciplined investigative approach to his reporting that has frequently exposed ethics violations, financial mismanagement, and transparency failures by public officials and agencies.
