Wisconsin: Seth Wauters, 19, accused of stealing a kitten from the local animal shelter

WISCONSIN -- A Green Bay man is accused of stealing a cat, apparently as a peace offering to his estranged girlfriend.

Seth P. Wauters, 19, is accused of being party to stealing a kitten, a misdemeanor crime that could mean nine months of jail time.

Wauters and his girlfriend were captured on video shoving the kitten, a domestic shorthair tabby mix named Soda, up the girlfriend’s coat Wednesday afternoon at the Bay Area Humane Society, 1830 Radisson St., according to the criminal complaint.

The animal shelter posted surveillance video on Facebook, which led to Wauters being identified.

Wauters and his girlfriend, who also will be charged, told police they were splitting up and because one of them would end up with custody of their dog Blue, they decided to steal a cat so that the other wouldn’t be without a pet, the complaint says.

Wauters pleaded not guilty Friday in Brown County Circuit Court. Free on a $5,000 signature bond, he is scheduled for a Jan. 9 court appearance.

ARREST INFO:
Full Name: Seth Patrick Wauters
Arrest Age: 19
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 04/03/1997
Height: 5'08"
Weight: 130 lbs
Hair Color: BROWN
Eye Color: Blue
Date: 12/08/2016
Agency: Brown County, Wisconsin
Charges
#1 Intentional Dognapping or Catnapping | Conservation-Animals
STATUTE: 951.03 ( M)

BOND: $250

#2 Probation Violation
STATUTE: 973.10 ( M)

BOND: $250

(Green Bay Press Gazette - Dec 9, 2016)