Cameron County, TX (KRGV) — Primera’s former public works director must apologize to his neighbor for killing his cat as part of his sentence, according to Cameron County court records.

Luis Alberto Perez was initially sentenced to eight years in prison on Monday on charges of deadly conduct and cruelty to a non-livestock animal, but records show his prison sentence was suspended in favor of eight years' probation after he pleaded guilty.

As previously reported, Perez was arrested on May 25, 2025, after a La Feria man reported that his neighbor, identified as Perez, had shot and killed his cat. 

The neighbor provided a video of the incident, which a criminal complaint obtained by Channel 5 News says showed Perez exiting his house and pointing a shotgun in the direction of his neighbor’s home and shooting and killing the cat.

The neighbor said he confronted Perez, who “admitted to shooting the cat,” the complaint said.

Perez told investigators he shot the cat while barbecuing in his backyard and noticed the cat in his trashcan. Perez shot it while the cat was running away. 

As part of Perez’s sentence, he will have to undergo random drug testing, complete community service, and send a letter of apology.