Cat Snatching What are my rights?
by Ashley
(Bay City, MI)
The week of June 28th I received an anonymous letter in the mail from one person on my block to keep my cat in my own yard. I spoke to several neighbors to inquire if it was them. The person said it was upsetting the other dogs in the neighborhood. I put a rabies vaccination id collar on my cat and continued to let her outside. A week and a half later she disappeared. She was gone for 2 weeks when I thought I would never see her again. I was watching the newspaper and found an ad for a free small calico and called the number. It was my cat, I went and picked her up, very happily I might add. She was very happy too, a wonderful moment. The problem is, she was dumped someplace 5 miles away and the perpetrator had removed her collar before dropping her. Do I have any rights to try to find out who this person is? I am afraid if my cat is outside the next time that particular neighbor might get rid of my cat "permanently". Will the law think I am nothing but a big joke? If I find out who the person is, what is the next step?
Answer by Kate
Hi
how horrible for you, it must be very upsetting to know you live near someone who has no regard for you and your right to have a cat and the cats.
Unfortunately your question is about the law and I live in the Uk and so the laws are probably different where you are.
If i were you i would contact one of the big animal charities in your country and ask them for some advice. they will have probably come across similar situations before and so are better placed to help myou.
i really do hope you have the law on your side, although I muist admit how you would find out who is doing this may be quite difficult and that may be your biggest problem.
best wishes kate
