Fine for Feeding Stray Cats

**Medusa** · 01-14-2009, 09:00 AM

Originally Posted by pomtzu

Here in Delaware, the law states that if you provide food for a stray/feral for 3 days or more, then you are the legal owner, and subject to Delaware law.
I was the victim of this situation last Spring. I had 2 "resident strays" - Sherbie who I still have, and O.C. who is now at RB.
O.C. had any injury to his leg and I took him to the vet for treatment. Being that I had no shot records for him and the injury appeared to be a bite, then I had 2 options. Either have him put down or cage quarantine him for a full 6 months since it could have been a bite from a rabid animal (and I live in a rural area). Due to a lot of different circumstances, it was impossible to quarantine him, so he had to be PTS. In addition, my vet was required by law to report a "possible" rabies incident, and subsequently I got served with a summons by Animal Control for failure to inoculate "my" cat, and this was how I found out about the 3 day ownership law. I took it to court and pleaded not guilty and the case was dismissed on a technicality, but if the rookie animal control officer that testified hadn't screwed up, I would have been found guilty and fined.
Yet the courts continue to turn their heads and look the other way in regard to animal abuse and cruelty. It's all bureaucratic b.s. IMO
O.C. was a beautiful orangie, and he didn't need to die. I know it wasn't rabies, but I was powerless to do anything about it!

This case demonstrates the validity of my point, that the people who should be fined are the ones who allow their cats to roam and make babies. This case is shameful and unfair, to you, of course, Ellie, and to poor OC who died needlessly.

**catmandu** · 01-14-2009, 11:56 AM

IF I HAD MY WISH, I WOULD TAKE ALL THE HUNGRY AND STARY DOGS AND CATS AND TURN THEM LOOSE HERE , WHERE THEY COULD FEAST TO THIER HEARTS CONTENT.

I KNOW THAT THE ANIMAL ANGEL ARMY LOVES COMING HERE!!!

**Anikaca77** · 01-14-2009, 04:03 PM

I have no idea if PA or State College the town I live in has any rules for these. I bet in Philly or Pittsburgh they might but around here I've never heard of any rules. This just so unfair those poor cats can't help it if they were tossed out or born on the streets. I would hope that they would be able to get some food some place.