Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Terry Tyrone Guider, 48, received a 90-day jail sentence with an additional three years of probation after pleading no contest to two counts of animal cruelty. He had previously warned his neighbors about killing their cat if it returned to his property, and subsequently poisoned the cat with antifreeze in its food, resulting in its death.

The cat’s owners informed a Gainesville Police officer that on October 1, 2023, while they were away and a housesitter was watching over the cat, Guider confronted their Ring cameras. He threatened, “I will kill your cat if they come on my property again.” One of the owners interacted with him through the Ring app, asking him to leave their premises, which he did.

Upon returning the following day, they discovered their cat had died. An autopsy determined the cause of death was likely due to ethylene glycol poisoning.

Guider, who owns a barber shop, entered a no contest plea on June 18 for two charges of animal cruelty. According to the plea agreement, each charge carries a maximum sentence of five years, with a mandatory minimum fine of $2,500. Judge Denise Ferrero postponed formal judgment and sentenced Guider to 90 days in jail and 36 months of probation. Additionally, he must pay $850 in restitution to the cat’s owners, $632 to a veterinarian, $2,500 in fines for each charge, and complete 50 hours of community service.