Post by: Stranger on May 24, 2006, 03:13:03 AM
"He attacks from the back," Kettman said Monday. "You never see it coming. He has six toes on every foot, which constitutes a very formidable weapon."
Kettman said she was attacked twice by Lewis the cat, whose owner was due back in court Tuesday on a charge of second-degree reckless endangerment.
Ruth Cisero, the cat's owner, recently withdrew her bid for special probation and opted for trial because she would have had to allow Lewis to be euthanized.
Eugene Riccio, attorney for Cisero and Lewis, said "We're trying to negotiate a fair resolution of the case which will include Lewis' life being spared from the executioner."
On Tuesday, Cisero was in Bridgeport Superior Court on a charge of second-degree reckless endangerment. A hearing was set for June 20 to determine whether she could get special probation and have her cat's life spared.
A few animal-rights protesters showed up Tuesday wearing T-shirts in support of Cisero and Lewis.
"They want to kill a cat for a scratch," said Marisa Sampieri of Fairfield, one of the cat's supporters. "These people have to get a life."
Neighbors say they have been terrorized by Lewis, saying the cat's long claws and stealth have allowed the cat to attack at least a half-dozen people and ambush the Avon lady as she was getting out of her car.
"I fear for the people on Sunset Circle," Kettman said. "Whenever you go out, you look in back of you to see if there is anything stalking you."
Kettman says she was a champion racquetball player, but at 76, the retired nurse is no match for Lewis. In the second attack last December, Kettman said Lewis bit her three times and left about eight deep scratches.
"He will not retreat," Kettman said. "His mouth is open and his tail is swishing."
"Also, he gives out mixed signals," Kettman continued. "He would sidle against you and purr. You bend down to pet him and he'd attack you."
Lewis was put on the antidepressant Prozac, but his owner was worried he became too sleepy, Kettman said.
There have been unconfirmed sightings lately of Lewis at 5 a.m., Kettman said.
Riccio confirmed that Lewis was on Prozac at one point. He said Cisero has kept her cat indoors, and he suggested Lewis' rap sheet is not as long as his neighbors say.
"I think the characterization of Lewis' prior conduct has been somewhat exaggerated," Riccio said.
Lewis has other supporters, who have sold more than 500 "Save Lewis" T-shirts to raise money for his defense fund.
The special probation offer with conditions was made at the insistence of one woman that Lewis attacked on February 20. In a letter to prosecutors, she said she would only agree to probation for Cisero if the cat were put to death.
Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/05/23/crazy.cat.ap/index.html
Post by: Jamisjockey on May 24, 2006, 04:52:07 AM
Post by: gunsmith on May 24, 2006, 05:30:41 AM
very upset over having to kill one with my bare hands.
Post by: charby on May 24, 2006, 08:41:34 AM
Post by: crt360 on May 24, 2006, 10:09:01 AM
Quote
A few animal-rights protesters showed up Tuesday wearing T-shirts in support of Cisero and Lewis.
"They want to kill a cat for a scratch," said Marisa Sampieri of Fairfield, one of the cat's supporters. "These people have to get a life."
Talk about a pot calling the kettle black."They want to kill a cat for a scratch," said Marisa Sampieri of Fairfield, one of the cat's supporters. "These people have to get a life."
Cats dig around in crap all day. Their claws do, as Jamis said, carry large amounts of fecal matter. They lick their paws a lot, too, so it would make sense that they've got poop in their mouth as well. I've known several people that got nasty infections from cat scratches, and one lady who had to be hospitalized for it. Cat scratch fever is not just a Nugent song. I generally don't mind the presence of cats, but if an unfamiliar cat approached me in a threatening manner, I'd have to defend myself with sufficient, if not deadly, force. I'd be embarrassed to pull out a .45 and shoot a small cat on a neighborhood street, so I'd probably just have to use whatever's available - like a baseball bat. Cat, meet bat.
Post by: Azrael256 on May 24, 2006, 10:44:27 AM
Post by: Ex-MA Hole on May 24, 2006, 11:32:55 AM
PLEASE DON'T MAKE THIS A PITS ARE GOOD DOGS THREAD.
I'm just throwing out a hypothetical/ people's perception thought.
Let's make this some insane dog. Would they still be upset?
Post by: jefnvk on May 24, 2006, 12:21:22 PM
But if that thing got me, it would simply disappear.
Post by: 280plus on May 24, 2006, 02:37:37 PM
How could I resist?
Post by: Antibubba on May 24, 2006, 05:45:30 PM
....
Eugene Riccio, attorney for Cisero and Lewis, said "We're trying to negotiate a fair resolution of the case which will include Lewis' life being spared from the executioner."
...
They want to kill a cat for a scratch," said Marisa Sampieri of Fairfield, one of the cat's supporters. "These people have to get a life."
...
Neighbors say they have been terrorized by Lewis, saying the cat's long claws and stealth have allowed the cat to attack at least a half-dozen people and ambush the Avon lady as she was getting out of her car.
...
Also, he gives out mixed signals," Kettman continued. "He would sidle against you and purr. You bend down to pet him and he'd attack you."
...
Lewis was put on the antidepressant Prozac, but his owner was worried he became too sleepy, Kettman said.
...
I read stuff like this, and I wonder if the terrorists realize how much worse they could hurt us by leaving us alone? Is Fairfield, CT a special magnet of stupid?
Post by: Perd Hapley on May 24, 2006, 08:45:57 PM
Quote from: Blackburn
...I want this cat.
You just want to make another pile on E-Bay. Shipping costs would cut deep, though. Antibubba, I agree.
I don't know what's more stupid, though: rottie or shottie. Or hoodie.
Post by: Devonai on May 25, 2006, 07:57:39 AM
As far as dogs and cats running around unattended, I've never had to clean cat crap off of the bottom of my shoes after going for an evening pipe.
Post by: Jamisjockey on May 25, 2006, 08:44:58 AM
Quote from: Devonai
I don't know about any other cat owners here, but mine takes great pains to avoid touching her own crap, and I clean out the litter every day.
As far as dogs and cats running around unattended, I've never had to clean cat crap off of the bottom of my shoes after going for an evening pipe.
You don't think there is still fecal matter in the cat's box? After that the cat will clean its feet with its mouth.As far as dogs and cats running around unattended, I've never had to clean cat crap off of the bottom of my shoes after going for an evening pipe.
Cat bites and scratches are easily infected and pretty dangerous.
Post by: client32 on May 25, 2006, 11:54:22 AM
Quote
I've never had to clean cat crap off of the bottom of my shoes
We have a bit of a kitty problem. They crap in my yard, the neighbors yard, the street, the sidewalk. At my brothers house, I've even seen one crap on the top of his neighbors roof.No pet is above being put down if it causes a serious problem. That said, there are normally other ways to fix the situation.
Post by: Devonai on May 27, 2006, 06:25:05 PM
Post by: InfidelSerf on May 28, 2006, 06:12:41 AM
Quote
cats are somehow related to velociraptors and this attack cat may be the key
LOL the missing link eh?While I do feel for the owners. (I'm an owner of 2 and between my girlfriend and I we have 6)
All but two are 100% indoor cats. And the two that do get to go outside come in before dark (or at least are dragged in
they also stick around the house. True fraidycats)The first time one of my neighbors complained about my cat, it would remain inside for the rest of it's life.
However I also don't understand why one of those neighbors didn't just get a garden hose out and soak Mr. Lewis.
drenching the cat several times would pretty well ensure he would leave you alone.
I'm certainly not condoning the owners inactions.
I also have to take issue with them giving the thing prozac... that's probably the reason it's turning bipolar.
If it was a one time inccident I would say leave it alone or at least have him declawed. But since this was consistently taking place. The owners deserve whatever the judgement is.
Post by: Guest on May 31, 2006, 11:37:05 AM
Post by: Sinsaba on June 02, 2006, 07:25:12 AM
Quote from: JamisJockey
Cats carry a large amount of fecal matter in thier feet and mouths. A cat bite or scratch can end up as a serious infection. I'd consider killing the damn thing myself.
Of course I have to ask how it is that after growing up with cats and being around cats most of my life, and yes, being scratched most any day of my life... why have NONE of the scratches EVER become infected?On the topic in general...
The owner should control the animal or keep in indoors. As much as I love cats, this one would only get to scratch me once. After that, if avoidance didn't work the boot would. It really wouldn't take any more than that. If I didn't have anything else to do I might take some OC or something to teach it not to attack but to euthanize (sp) it over a few scratches is over reacting (IMHO)
Post by: Stand_watie on June 02, 2006, 04:36:32 PM
Quote from: Sinsaba
Quote from: JamisJockey
Cats carry a large amount of fecal matter in thier feet and mouths. A cat bite or scratch can end up as a serious infection. I'd consider killing the damn thing myself.
Of course I have to ask how it is that after growing up with cats and being around cats most of my life, and yes, being scratched most any day of my life... why have NONE of the scratches EVER become infected?On the topic in general...
The owner should control the animal or keep in indoors. As much as I love cats, this one would only get to scratch me once. After that, if avoidance didn't work the boot would. It really wouldn't take any more than that. If I didn't have anything else to do I might take some OC or something to teach it not to attack but to euthanize (sp) it over a few scratches is over reacting (IMHO)
Post by: Guest on June 02, 2006, 05:17:39 PM
for the uninitiated,
Shoot. Shovel. Shut up.