SEATTLE — Police arrested a 43-year-old man who was wanted for animal cruelty charges stemming from incidents in 2023, bringing relief to pet owners in Seattle’s Georgetown neighborhood.

The arrest April 25 was made near Airport Way South after community members spotted the suspect and alerted authorities.

Community tips played a crucial role in apprehending the suspect, who had been the subject of flyers circulating throughout the Georgetown neighborhood.

“Somebody posted information on our community Facebook page,” said Georgetown resident Ariel Van Spronsen.

According to investigators, the suspect was accused of three violations in June and July of 2023, including animal cruelty charges for allegedly setting traps and killing at least four cats. The man reportedly used a shopping cart as a makeshift trap along Airport Way South, attempting to drop it on animals.

“Just knowing that there is an individual like that in the neighborhood was very startling to me,” said Chris Lew, a Georgetown resident.

The case gained renewed attention from Georgetown neighbors following new reports of homemade traps and animal torture in the area.

“It just looked really homemade just like crates with things under them,” Lew described. “Unfortunately, there was a mutilated cat that was found.”

Investigators have not officially linked the suspect from the 2023 cases to the recent activity in the neighborhood.

The allegations have been particularly concerning for residents in the pet-friendly community.

“Of course we were all scared, those of us who have cats,” said Van Spronsen, who owns a cat named Cora. She described her relationship with her pet as “100 percent unconditional love.”

Lew, who has been worried about his small dog Loki, expressed similar sentiments about his pet.

“He is my life. He is 5 years old. He is a handful, but I don’t know what I would do without him.”

The arrest has provided a sense of relief in the neighborhood where flyers had raised fears.

“I am very glad that they caught him and that he is off of our streets for now,” said Lew.

The 43-year-old suspect has a court appearance scheduled for April 29.