Maryland: Men release Pit Bull to attack, kill cats in feral cat colony

MARYLAND -- On Feb 21, 2018,  Midnight a friendly colony cat was fed by his caretaker along with 4 other cats.

After the caretaker left, three men let their pit bull off its leash to attack the cats.  

Last year there were 13.  Now there are 5.  Three were found in the last few months dead and now they know how they were being killed.

The rest of the cats are needing trapped and rehomed to barns. This means there are vetting costs, food, litter, and transportation costs. There are another 4 cats fed very close to this location and we will rehome them too.

Please this is an emergency,  if you can donate anything, its greatly appreciated.  Checks can also be made out to Metro Ferals if you choose.  I can private message you my address.

UPDATE 1
Just an update...Midnight has survived but is very sore. Yes this incident has been reported to Animal Control. Trapping of the left over cats will be this Saturday.

UPDATE 2
Last night 4 cats were trapped/removed as 2 of them were friendly. There is 1 very trap savy one left and then we saw 2 new comers. It was a little scary night as it wasn't the best of area.

We got to see the dog that killed 1 of the cats a few months ago. Nothing was said but it was a little tense as they walked by with their dog as it was on a leash this time.

GOFUNDME: Cats being attacked by Pit bull
Created February 22, 2018
Mary Yost Jones
  Animals
  FORT HOWARD, MD

Georgia: Four cats dead, one badly injured after being shot by crossbow at Lazaretto Creek Boat Ramp

GEORGIA -- Four cats are now dead after someone shot them with a crossbow arrow near the Lazaretto Boat Ramp.

One cat lived through the horrible attack and now investigators are working to try to find out who committed the animal cruelty.

In areas around the Lazaretto Creek Boat Ramp you will find bowls full of cat food, that's because people are feeding feral and abandoned cats, one of the feeders found a terrible surprise, four dead cats and one seriously injuries.

For the survivor, it is a miracle he is alive. Crossbow arrows were used to kill a group of cats near the boat ramp, closer to the fishing pier at the end of the road.

The woman who found the cat then drove the cat to Tybee Animal Care where Dr. Jenkins helped the injured kitty.

"We discovered on x-ray it was a small arrow head embedded into the neck of the cat," said Dr. Kari Jenkins, Managing Veterinarian, Tybee Animal Care. "The cat needed surgery to have that removed."

The cat will be ok and is back with the woman who found him. For now she is acting as the foster.

Lots and lots of cats can be seen even still where the dead ones were found. Islands Feral Cat Project tells me it is a regular place where you see people giving up the responsibility of keeping their pet cat but dropping it off and driving off.

"I guess what made me mad is someone's cat got killed because either the owner dumped it off here or someone else dumped it off here," said Marie Rodriguez, President, Islands Feral Cat Project.

Marie works to trap feral cats and get them spayed or neutered. She tells me she is hoping upcoming efforts will deter people from dumping cats here.

"My friend who owns Spiva Law Firm offered to donate six cameras out here because he knows how important it is to have cameras to where people can see and people will know if you are driving down this road and you are going to dump off an animal then we will have your car and license plate on video," said Rodriguez.

The person who shot these arrows has not been caught yet. If you know anything you can report it to Animal Services or Crimestoppers.

"It is illegal and it is cruelty to animals whether or not these animals are owned," said Kerry Sirevicius, Director, Chatham County Animal Services. "I will prosecute to the highest extent of the law if anyone is injuring cats in the community and I catch them."

Islands Feral Cat Project says that you would need to call Chatham County Animal Services if you need help with a feral cat and they will work together to see what can be done for the animal.

"If you are having a problem with a cat and you are mad at your neighbors or whatever and you can't work it out then call Animal Control and they will give you my number. I am the Feral Cat Liaison for Animal Control, I try to help both sides with the problem," said Rodriguez.

"Just do not take matters into your own hands, we are able to trap the un-owned cats that are not part of a managed colony. There are ways to contain cats and we can give owners that information, that's where I come in to be that mediator to make sure the animals stay on their own property and not get into trouble in your neighbor's yard," said Sirevicius.

No suspects have been caught in relation to this animal cruelty crime, if you know anything you are urged to call CrimeStoppers at 912-234-2020.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP #1:

VIDEO NEWS CLIP #2:

(WTOC - August 31, 2017)

Delaware: Although it doesn't appear as though Janice Rossell is abusing her cats, the neighbors are tired of her 40+ cats roaming everywhere

DELAWARE -- A costly dispute over feral felines has continued for roughly 3-1/2 years now.

Some Village of Wild Quail Golf and Country Club neighbors object to the approximately 40 cats trotting around Janice Rossell’s residence, and filed a lawsuit to make them go away.

Ms. Rossell, 78, won’t hear of it, insisting that she feeds and waters the roaming pussycats three times a day before having them spayed, neutered and/or vaccinated, lowering their population.

A Quail Village Homeowners Association, Inc. request for summary judgment against Ms. Rossell was denied in Chancery Court on Dec. 15, 2016. The matter was recommended for trial.

Janice Rossell holds one of the many cats that she
takes care of at her home near Camden.
(Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

Attempts to reach the QVHA for comment were unsuccessful.

At the end of 2016, Ms. Rossell estimated she’s paid $15,000 in associated fees connected to the lawsuit and “maybe” $14,000 annually in cat food.

There’s no quantifying her stress level, the homeowner said.

The approximately acre-sized property and 2,400 square foot home at 742 Raven Circle was up for sale for approximately six months, but taken off the market in fall 2015. Ms. Rossell said she’s invested too much time and money to leave a cause she believes in so much.

The homeowner suspects that one person arrived at an earlier showing only to investigate the mouser haven and gather information on her furry visitors.

“Something just didn’t seem right about her,” said Ms. Rossell, a 12-year western Kent County resident since moving from Delran Township, New Jersey with her now late husband.

Also, Ms. Rossell said she has seen vehicles stopped in front of her home for taking photos and kids sent to count the cats.

Ms. Rossell said she doesn’t know all but a few neighbors, and hasn’t experienced any overt hostility.

“At a 70th birthday party I did get an inkling that some neighbors were not happy with my hosting the cats,” she said.

Even after a dozen years, Ms. Rossell says, “You don’t see your neighbors here, people aren’t caring here. There was one time when a woman died in her home, her daughter couldn’t get in touch with her, and she was found a day later.”

Leaving the kittycats now would pull at Ms. Rossell’s heartstrings.

“I feel bad for them,” she said of her four-legged house guests.

“A lot of people think cats are some animal like a rat, but cats are smart. There’s this vision of feral ones being ugly and fat, but that’s not so.”

Some neighbors opposed

In its lawsuit, QVHA said 12 residents “are prepared to testify during a trial about how Rossell’s activities have created a nuisance and dangerous or offensive condition in violation” of deed restrictions.

The QVHA alleges that an outside structure was improperly built without an architectural review committee, and it houses undomesticated cats drawn to the area through feed and water.

A few cats lounge on Janice Rossell’s front porch near
Camden. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

However, according to Ms. Rossell several properties around her have violated deed restrictions such as having a pool house with a full kitchen, and three-car garage, among others. Ms. Rossell said she has the pictures to prove it.

“It’s really all about who you know,” she said. “While some say they’re attorneys and why question them, I say ‘Hey, we all put our pants on the same way.’ “

The HOA argues that the use of any lot within Quail Village to create a nuisance, offensive or dangerous situation is prohibited by deed restrictions.

Ms. Rossell maintains the outdoor building built by her live-in son in 2012 was designed as a playhouse for her granddaughter.

Now, she says, the heated and air-conditioned structure is used for storage, “and if cats need a warm place.” There’s a door to let them in and a couple boxes with blankets to provide comfort.

The majority of cats stay in Ms. Rossell’s garage, with four using either the outside building or on the porch. The property is equipped with hand-warmers for chilly paws this time of year.

One ailing cat lives alone inside the master bathroom, stricken with Leukemia.

Comforting kitties

Ms. Rossell has physical issues of her own, taking cancer pills to regulate blood cells and living with Chronic Lyme Disease.

The felines provide their own brand of soothing attention, according to the widow of five years.

“If I’m upset, like when my husband passed, they’re right there with me,” she said. “They know when I’m sick and needing some comfort.”
Ms. Rossell will always be indebted to the late kitty she said saved her daughter’s life after a Navy fighter jet crashed into her 36-unit apartment complex in Smyrna, Georgia on Nov. 10, 1989.

The heroic feline nipped at the lucky woman to wake her and escape the sudden danger, but was herself lost to fire after taking refuge behind a refrigerator, Ms. Rossell said.

The situation apparently meets Delaware Code standards, and Ms. Rossell said the Office of Animal Welfare checked in earlier and found no issues.

“They wanted to make sure I wasn’t a cat hoarder or harming them,” she said. “They saw that I wasn’t.”

Last week, the Division of Public Health declined comment on the lawsuit, citing policy not to discuss specifics of any case.

In general terms, spokeswoman Emily Knearl said, “Cats are allowed to roam free and it is not illegal to feed them. While handled differently than dogs in many respects under the law, cats are still covered by cruelty laws.”

Janice Rossell converted her granddaughter’s outside doll
house into a place for the cats to stay when it gets
below freezing. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

The OAW “does work with caregivers to connect them to low cost resources to get cats neutered and vaccinated if they qualify.”

For more information on neutering and vaccinations, call 255-4620.

Eliminating a cat’s reproductive ability is a population control benefit to Quail Village, Ms. Rossell maintains. She claims to have financed the sterilizations herself.

“If I don’t get them fixed that means there will be more with every litter,” she said. “If everyone in the development takes an interest in getting them fixed when they show up, there won’t be this trouble.”

Many of the felines may be arriving through woods bordering the back of Ms. Rossell’s property, possibly from nearby Amish farms, she believes.

Also, the defendant has surveillance video evidence showing vehicles pulling up and dropping off cats, and claims neighbors with cats producing large litters are also responsible for the growing population.

All the roaming pussycats she hosts have names “according to how they look,” said Ms. Rossell, before rattling off identities such as Smudgy, Funny Face, Cherie A’mour, Road Map, Kit and Kat, Bella, Maxie, She and She II, Golden Eyes, Copycat, Stray, Blackie, Prrboy, Buttons, Beautiful, Gizmo, Princess and others.

With three feedings a day, Ms. Rossell opens 32 cans and a bag of dry food daily, in addition to water. She rises at 6:30 a.m. for breakfast, serves lunch between 2-3 p.m. and puts out a night-time snack to cure any hunger pangs.

Janice Rossell converted her granddaughter’s outside
doll house into a place for the cats to stay when it
gets below freezing. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

The first letter

The saga commenced on June 12, 2013 when Ms. Rossell received a letter from the QVHA counsel including a subject line “Failure to Comply with the restrictive covenants for the Quail Village Subdivision.”

Attorney Gary R. Dodge began by referencing “numerous attempts” of the QVHA to “secure voluntary compliance” with some community covenants, “violation” had continued.

At the time, Mr. Dodge had been notified by Quail Village of “at least one if not two violations that require immediate attention.” An accessory building without architectural approval was at issue, along with the structure being “used to provide outside housing for a number of animals.”

The correspondence indicated the animals and building must be permanently removed within 30 days, or the QVHA would seek an order from the Court of Chancery to abide by deed covenants and restrictions.

The possibility of legal action was raised, and Mr. Dodge cited Delaware Code requiring the losing party at trial obligated to pay all court costs and attorneys fees “unless such an award would be unfair, unreasonable, or a harsh outcome.”

Attorney’s fees and court cost awards would be sought in any application seeking enforcement, Mr. Dodge cautioned.

Mr. Dodge advised Ms. Rossell to deal directly with the QVHA in resolving the matter.

In a letter to Ms. Rossell’s attorney Peter Schaeffer on Sept. 4, 2014, Mr. Dodge discussed the possibility of a voluntary dismissal, but indicated an unwillingness to pay for any expenses that Ms. Rossell “has incurred, given that action was brought in good faith, and the only reason that they are willing at this time to consider dismissal is that it has become apparent that your client is prepared to engage in protracted and unnecessary expensive litigation …”

At the time, Mr. Dodge expressed concern “whether we’re about to turn what was a relatively simple deed restriction case into an unnecessarily costly endeavor that could result in either of the parties incurring litigation expenses far in excess of their means …”

Also, the attorney wondered “whether there is something on a professional level that would explain how we have gotten to this point, which I might be able to be of assistance on.”

A cat sits in a box on Janice Rossell’s front porch
near Camden. (Delaware State News/Marc Clery)

On April 28, 2015, Mr. Dodge referenced a letter asking Chancery Court to suspend a pre-trial scheduling order “until several issues are addressed …”

Mr. Dodge said he had “some significant concerns” about “inadequate discovery responses.” A witness list and documents to be provided seven days before trial were at issue, along with affirmative defenses that could be introduced.

“I view this as little short of trial by ambush, and will oppose that, thereby creating a record if the Court is inclined to permit this kind of activity to occur,” Mr. Dodge maintained.

According to the Court of Chancery order, a trial was originally scheduled for Oct. 2015, was re-scheduled for Sept. 7, 2016, “and now has been continued to a later date at the request of counsel.”

(Delaware State News - Jan 8, 2017)

Ohio: Lawyer for man, Timothy Warga, accused of cat abandonment says charge is baseless, and promises to contest it

OHIO -- A local landlord charged in connection with an alleged “cat-napping” case has issued a statement through his attorney denying the charges, saying they “are unwarranted and not supported by the facts.”

“Timothy Warga did not trap a domesticated animal but took a wild, feral cat and humanely relocated it to another area,” stated a short news release faxed to The Athens NEWS on Wednesday by Athens attorney K. Robert Toy’s law office.

Toy promises that his client will contest the charges “vigorously,” maintaining that the charge against Warga is a result of “undue public pressure” and non-credible witnesses.

Warga, of rural Athens, was charged with animal abandonment in a summons mailed Monday, March 14, after an investigation by Athens County Humane Officer Lana Planisek. The charge is a second-degree misdemeanor carrying a possible fine of $750 and up to 90 days in jail, Planisek said.

The so-called “cat-napping” situation has received substantial discussion, much of it angry, on Facebook in the past two weeks.

The summons for animal abandonment stems from the Feb. 24 incident in the neighborhood near South May Avenue and Lincoln Street, in which Amber Cavender, owner of a cat named MeowMeow, reported to police that she heard her cat crying that day while on her lunch break, and belatedly realized the “screaming” noise was coming from the back of a truck parked in the alley next to her house.

A police report that resulted from Cavender’s allegations on Feb. 24 said that she had seen her cat, MeowMeow, in the back of the truck, inside a live trap, and that “she knew who the (truck’s) owner was.” 

Though the name was redacted in the report, she was referring to Warga.

As of Sunday afternoon, the cat remained missing.

Warga, who has not been available for comment, reportedly told police he had trapped a stray cat – which his attorney, Toy, says was not MeowMeow – and took it to the parking area near the intersection of U.S. Rt. 33 and Ohio Rt. 550 and released it.

Cavender’s story, as well as statements from one or more witnesses, forms the basis of the animal abandonment charge arising from county Humane Officer Planisek’s investigation. Athens Police declined to press theft charges after Warga said he thought the cat was a stray, without identification.

The release issued by attorney Toy’s office states, “Contrary to rumors, Internet slanders and false posters, the animal humanely removed belonged to no one and had no collar or identification of any kind.”

MewoMewo still hasn't been found

The statement continues by questioning “the credibility of witnesses that might testify for the city,” and promising to contest the case “vigorously.”

The news release concludes, “Bob Toy believes that undue public pressure was placed on public officials based on false information, and the city brought charges that stink worse than three-week-old cat litter.”

Cavender has said her cat wore a leather collar for identification.

(Athens News - March 17, 2016)

North Carolina: Manteo man Jordan Wallace charged with animal cruelty after dead cats found in dumpster

NORTH CAROLINA -- A 26-year-old Manteo man was arrested Saturday, March 5 and charged in an ongoing animal cruelty investigation.

The Dare County Sheriff’s Office began the investigation on December 30th after several dead cats were discovered in a dumpster in the Avon area.

“We would never have suspected in a million years that something like this would happen,” said Debbie Martin, with Friends of Felines – Cape Hatteras Island.

For the past 15 years, Martin has cared for more than a dozen spayed and neutered feral cats on the realty property facility where she is a manager, she said. She feeds them at night and a co-worker takes over in the morning. He could not find them Wednesday, until he checked the dumpster, Martin said.

“He had some very bad news for me, that he had found three bodies in the dumpster back behind me, and all the cats are gone. We don’t know what has happened to them.”

The Sheriff’s Office Investigation Division opened a case and developed 26-year-old Jordan Wallace Boykin, 609 Vista Lake Drive, as a suspect. The case was taken before the Dare County Grand Jury on February 29, and Boykin was indicted on four counts of animal cruelty.

 

He was arrested Saturday, charged with the four counts of animal cruelty and one count of failure to appear on a weapons violation. He was released on a $30,000 secured bond.

(WTKR - March 7, 2016)

Earlier:

• Cats found dead in Dare County dumpster had been shot to death

Cats found dead in Dare County dumpster had been shot to death

UPDATE: North Carolina: Manteo man Jordan Wallace charged with animal cruelty after dead cats found in dumpster

NORTH CAROLINA --  Investigators in Dare County are trying to find out what happened to three cats found dead in a dumpster. The animals appeared to have been shot, officials said.

“We would never have suspected in a million years that something like this would happen,” said Debbie Martin, with Friends of Felines – Cape Hatteras Island.

 

For the past 15 years, Martin has cared for more than a dozen spayed and neutered feral cats on the realty property facility where she is a manager, she said. She feeds them at night and a co-worker takes over in the morning. He could not find them Wednesday, until he checked the dumpster, Martin said.

“He had some very bad news for me, that he had found three bodies in the dumpster back behind me, and all the cats are gone. We don’t know what has happened to them.”

The Dare County Sheriff’s Office said they got the call Wednesday morning and started looking for clues. It appears someone shot the cats, but it’s not clear what weapon was used, investigators said.

“I think it’s very sad that there’s someone out there that’s harming animals. This is Hatteras Island. It’s a national seashore, and we protect our animals here,” Martin said.

 

The sheriff’s office has not released any information about suspects, but is investigating the deaths as felony animal cruelty.

Meanwhile, more than $1,000 has been set aside for a reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction through a Yadkin Bank account in Avon under the name of “Cat Lovers of Hatteras Island,” Martin said.

The Outer Banks SPCA said the cats were sent to the state laboratory in Raleigh to determine how they died. Citizens are allowed to trap feral cats and bring them to their facility, but are not allowed to harm them, Outer Banks SPCA director John Graves said.

If you know something about the case, call the Dare County Sheriff’s Office at 252-475-5980.

(WAVY - Dec 31, 2015)

Beechview Man, Daniel Smith, Arrested After 5-Month Animal Cruelty Investigation

PENNSYLVANIA -- After a 5-month long investigation, Pittsburgh Police have arrested a Beechview man on four counts of animal cruelty after at least three of his neighbor’s cats turned up dead.

Daniel T. Smith was taken into custody Monday night.

When asked about the allegations, Smith told KDKA’s Kym Gable, “I just want to thank you guys for taking time out of your day to come visit me. That’s all.”

  

Cindy Matera lives next door to Smith on Realty Avenue in Beechview.

In July, she found two of her cats dead in her own trash cans. Witnesses told police they saw Smith put them there and admit to killing them.

Matera once had 11 felines, all legally documented by Animal Friends as a sanctioned colony. Now, there are only three left. Several others are still missing.

  

After the two were found discarded in the trash, one additional cat was found suffering from the apparent effects of poisoning. A crime lab analysis turned up evidence of mothballs in the cats’ stomachs.

“They did die a horrible death,” said Matera. “They said there were pieces of mothballs in there, so that’s when they knew that’s what happened.”

“They don’t deserve to suffer,” said Officer Christine Luffey. “If people are having problems with animals in their neighborhood, do the right thing. I don’t want them taking matters into their own hands or this is where you’ll end up. You end up being arrested.”

In the criminal complaint obtained by KDKA, Smith made the following statements to police: “The cats are beyond a complete nuisance … I’m in the realms of my legal parameters … Feral cats don’t belong to anyone … They have no rights and no one can prove I killed the cats.”

(CBS Local - Dec 14, 2015)

Trapper removing feral cats attacked on social media

FLORIDA -- A Brevard County trapper hired by a community to deal with their feral cat problem is under fire from animal advocates.

Wildlife trapper James Dean was hired last week by the Seaport Oceanfront Condominium Association to remove seven feral cats from their property.

"They were spraying BBQ grills, their cars, their front doors," said Dean.

The cats were also attracting wilder animals like raccoons.

The goal was to round them up and hand them over to local rescue groups, where they would be given medical treatment and put up for adoption if possible.

But not long after Dean himself felt like the hunted, at least on social media.

A Facebook thread was started, and rumors began swirling he was trapping and killing the cats.

"Like myself, the association doesn't want these cats killed," he said.

The trapper put out a total of 13 traps. The next morning he found out three had been so damaged, he had to throw them away.

The original poster was Rachel Smith, an animal rights advocate from New York.

"When I first heard on Facebook that a condo complex in Florida hired a trapper to remove a colony of cats, I was enraged and feared for their safety,” Smith said. “What would he do to these cats?"

When word began to quickly spread, she decided to call the trapper herself and get to the bottom of it.

"She was a spokesperson for a rescue group, and for feral cats," said Dean.

Smith apologized to Dean, and went a step, further sending us this statement:

"He reported to me that his property has been damaged, he has received numerous harassing phone calls and has even lost work because rumors are running rampant, especially on social media. I feel terrible for him because I had witnessed this for myself and it’s a shame."

The condo association also sent out a notice to dispel the rumors the cats were being killed.

"He's just getting them out of here," said resident Ed Walker.

Condo complex residents say it should never have gotten to this level.

"These cats could pass on a disease to a human, I'm just glad they are being taken care of," Walker said.

"They like the fact they are going to a group to get the health care that they need," said Dean.

(MyNews13 - Dec 1, 2015)