Posted on 04/22/2005 3:06:30 PM PDT by tuffydoodle
Catfight Erupts As Man Traps Neighborhood Cats Residents Upset That Man Releases Cats In Rural Area
POSTED: 9:31 am CDT April 22, 2005 UPDATED: 11:33 am CDT April 22, 2005
ARLINGTON, Texas -- The claws are out in a South Arlington community as folks in the area let their cats roam free, but a new neighbor isn't too keen on the idea.
FeedRoom
Man Traps Neighbor's Cats
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He traps the cats in his front yard and releases them in a rural area.
Neighbors say Darren Cuppett has taken an extreme position on a problem that could have been talked out.
"If I wanted to smell cat pee, I'd have cats. I don't want to smell cat pee," Cuppett said.
Cuppett said cats have routinely marked his home as their territory -- near his trailer, by the pool, in his yard.
"It all smells like cat [pee]," he said.
Arlington's animal control office gave him permission for the traps. Leash laws prohibit pets from roaming freely.
"I am missing two and one is dead," neighbor Stephanie Wright said.
"Constantly I find myself several nights, I go out there to look in his cage to see if there is a cat in there so I can let it out," neighbor Chris Dawson said.
Cuppett admits he's caught four felines and released them in a rural area. Leash laws make it illegal to allow pets to roam outdoors freely in Arlington.
Nine lives notwithstanding, if Cuppett catches one, it's his.
"I know people who don't like cats, or even hate cats, but they would never resort to anything like this," Wright said.
"I don't think it's right. If they love their animals keep them, put [them] up," Cuppett said.
Cuppett said Arlington Animal Control told him to put out traps and they would come pick up any cats he catches. Other neighbors said they're going to be setting traps as well.
He is right, but you don't punish the animal for it.
Pwnag3.
The Kitty Wars continue...
Hope he keeps his word and any further trapped cats will be given to local animal control. If then the owners come to claim, hope they are fined, as story states it is against the law there to let your cats run free.
Hope he keeps his word and any further trapped cats will be given to local animal control. If then the owners come to claim, hope they are fined, as story states it is against the law there to let your cats run free.
Sorry for marking the area twice!
I hate to think of family pets being dumped in rural areas, since I happen to live in one. I know what happens: if they're not taken in, they generally starve, become diseased, and are prey for larger predators.
That said, I do wish people would keep their pets indoors to keep them away from jerks like this guy--and other dangers.
Sounds like theft of property to me... Someone should press charges...
My neighbor just sort of started feeding a local stray and now it craps and pisses everywhere around my house! Not their's! I think a trap is in the order!
Some people are just mean for mean's sake. My three cats take turns going outside - of our condo! - and manage to co-exist with my neighbor's two cats. Recently, a young male came over to our place from his condo at the other end of our project. Well, the little bugger sprayed all over my garage. It was worse than skunk smell. Am still pinesol-ing and airing it out. But I just propped my spray hose in my window. Everytime the cat showed up, I hit the jet nozzle just behind his butt. Never had to get him wet, but the sound of the spray scared him off for good. Wouldn't take that man any time at all for all the cats in the neighborhood to realize his place is off-limits.
Huh?
...I go out there to look in his cage to see if there is a cat in there so I can let it out," neighbor Chris Dawson said.
This would appear to be trespassing/vandalism.
Hahaha, I'm trying to picture a cat on a leash! Does that law in Arlington specifically mention felines? I've lived in a few neighborhoods where Mr. Cuppitt wouldn't have made it to the interview after kidnapping Junior and Chuey's grandma's cat.
He should post his property and when they come on his land to release the cats, have them arrested for trespassing.
If I catch this clown releasing any cats around my place, I'll sic the dogs on him.
If that is trespassing, then what this guy is doing is theft (of pets), pet abuse, and pet abandonment (when he dumps them out in the country).
I love cats.
Well...if they give me money..
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