Judge spares life of Lewis the Cat

[SouthFloridawx]

Judge spares life of Lewis the Cat By PAT EATON-ROBB, Associated Press Writer
23 minutes ago



A state judge on Tuesday spared the life of Lewis the cat, whose vicious attacks on neighbors landed his owner in court, but the terrorizing tomcat was ordered confined to the house at all times.

"There are no exceptions. None," Judge Patrick Carroll told Lewis' owner, Ruth Cisero.

If Lewis gets out, even accidentally, Cisero could face up to 6 months in prison, and Lewis' fate would be in the hands of animal control officers.

Cisero had faced a charge of reckless endangerment because neighbors complained that the gray and white cat's long claws and stealth had allowed it to attack at least a half-dozen people. Some who were bitten and scratched ended up seeking treatment at hospitals.

The judge ordered Cisero to complete two years of probation, after which her record will be expunged.

Cisero had fought to keep Lewis, and rejected a previous probation deal because it was contingent on euthanizing the cat.

"I never thought it would come to this," she said. "It's been an absolute nightmare. It's ruined my life."

The cat's case has drawn national attention, with Lewis appearing in People magazine and on his own page on MySpace.com. A Utah animal sanctuary offered to take the cat, but Eugene Riccio, Cisero's attorney, said Lewis enjoys life in southern New England and wants to stay.




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[Janice]

People have a responsibility to take care of their pets. If the pet is dangerous or causes injury to other people or their property, they have to suffer the consequences. It is not the cats fault, what it is doing is probably natural. If you cannot contain your cat and keep it indoors, then you cannot cry if they take it away.

[Dionne]

TomCats aren't supposed to be locked up inside. All cats should be free to roam as they please.

I've been bitten by both cats and dogs. The last I would desire is the animals death.

With any luck....Lewis the Cat......will out live the judge!

[Skywatch_NC]

Sounds like Lewis could use a supply of scratching posts to take out his energy on.

[Miss Mary]

My mom watched this on Fox news and said the cat is sweet. It jumped on this neighbor and freaked her out. I said oh please, my neighbors' cats (at least 4 over the years) have all come over and visited with me. While I was out doing yardwork. Any could jump on me - anyday. I loved it when they'd visit, they sit on my window sills looking for me!

Then we got a Golden and they stopped coming. I miss my surrogate cats.

Cats leave people alone too - what is this neighbor worried about? She must have antagonized this poor cat.

Glad his life was spared. I'd be looking for a new place to live though......not immediately but someday soon. With my cat!

[Yarrah]

Animals don't attack without a reason or without warning, especially not something as big as a human. So those people that were attacked probably gave the cat a reason to attack them i.e: making him feel unsafe by coming close to him. It's always best to stay away from animals, unless you are really convinced they won't attack you.

By they way, how on earth can you end up in a hospital after being attacked by a cat? Unless you were holding the cat, I don't see how it can hurt you that much.

[Janice]

I have lots of cats and none of them would attack anyone. If someone strange comes around, they usually run away from them. But, I have had incidents where I had to walk around a mean cat. One that would hiss if I got too close.

[CajunMama]

Are there any videos of this "attack" cat anywhere?

[kevin]

I for one am glad the cat attacked people in their suburban world. Not because I like to see people hurting, but because if people aren't exposed to danger with even small regularity they end up getting their butts kicked by cats. This would never happen in Russia where old women box with bears.

[Stephanie]

A Utah animal sanctuary offered to take the cat,

I'll bet it's "Best Friends".

I keep all of my cats inside with "supervised" outside excursions. Who has who trained????

[george_r_1961]

I for one am glad the cat attacked people in their suburban world. Not because I like to see people hurting, but because if people aren't exposed to danger with even small regularity they end up getting their butts kicked by cats. This would never happen in Russia where old women box with bears.

Hmm..cat scratches can get nasty and get infected. When that happens the person can become ill and the offending cat, if caught, may be put down. I would prefer not to see this scenario.

[Stephanie]

I for one am glad the cat attacked people in their suburban world. Not because I like to see people hurting, but because if people aren't exposed to danger with even small regularity they end up getting their butts kicked by cats. This would never happen in Russia where old women box with bears.

Alrighty then...

[Terrell]

I'm glad Lewis was spared. I hope his human will keep him inside so he doesn't get in any more trouble.

[Miss Mary]

Kevin.....in the words of Barney from How I Met Your Mother.......if anyone watches that show....

Haaaaaaaaaave you met......alicia?

Sigh......yep, two peas in a pod there I see. Alrighty indeed Steph.