Police: Las Vegas man repeatedly smashed cat’s head into pavement

A Las Vegas man has been arrested in connection with a video showing an individual picking up a cat and repeatedly smashing its head into the ground, according to police.

Ivan Kelvon Sipert, 33, was booked into the Clark County Detention Center on six counts of willfully and maliciously torturing, maiming or mutilating an animal kept for pleasure. Sipert has since been released from custody as Clark County prosecutors asked for 60 days to investigate the case before deciding whether to file a criminal complaint.

The Metropolitan Police Department said in an arrest report for Sipert that on July 29, Las Vegas Animal Protection Services notified police of a video filmed at the Baltimore Garden Apartments in downtown Las Vegas. Police examined the video and learned it had actually been recorded on May 6, 2025.

The video, police said, “shows a male picking up a yowling cat before repeatedly smashing its head onto the ground.”

The cat is known in the area as “Freddie,” police said. Police do not know whether the cat survived.

Police said they identified the person who picked up the yowling cat as Sipert in part because he lived in the apartment from which the man who attacked the cat emerged. They said another man lived in the apartment, but said the person who attacked the cat matches Sipert’s description.

“Sipert’s back turns to the camera as he bends down,” police said. “He widens his stance and bashes Freddie six times against the ground. Each time there is an audible dull, fleshy sound as Sipert vigorously hits Freddie against the pavement.”

Sipert was arrested Thursday. He declined to speak with police. Court records do not list an attorney for the man.

“The video provided is brief, but illustrates immense cruelty that Freddie endured,” police said. “While it is uncertain if Freddie survived, with our without permanent ailment, from the manner of force Ivan Sipert used to repeatedly smash Freddie’s head onto the concrete, it is unlikely.”

A status check on Sipert’s case is scheduled for Nov. 23.