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Mar 29, 2006, 05:34 AM
Cat accused of terrorizing a local neighborhood
Eyewitness News' Carolina Tarazona
(Fairfield, Conn.-WABC, March 28, 2006) -
We often report stories about neighborhoods living in fear. And this story is one of those, to be sure. But the culprit here is a cat.
And residents of the Sunset Circle neighborhood of Fairfield, Connecticut say the cat is terrorizing them. He's attacked at least half a dozen people.
Eyewitness News reporter Carolina Tarazona has the story.
On house arrest, Lewis the cat can't go outside ever. This is because he's accused of attacking several neighbors.
76-year-old Janet Kettman has scars still. She says: "I had eight scratches and three bites."
Ruth Cisero, the cat's owner, says the 10-pound feline who was a stray cat isn't ferocious, he's just misunderstood and even tried Prozac.
"I've been arrested. I don't even have a speeding ticket, so this whole thing has been a nightmare."
Lewis has been living with her for five years and she says he's never purposefully attacked anyone. She says the cat only reacts when provoked.
Not so, says Rachel Solveira. She runs the animal control office in Fairfield. Solveira says house arrest is the only option. After receiving complaints since December, they tried to give Ruth's cat a temporary restraining order.
"I believe if kept indoors at all times and the owner is vigilant about not letting him escape, it's not a problem," Solveira said.
That's what neighbors want, but Ruth says she's planning to fight and won't give up until Louie runs free.
"I'm sorry for what's happened. I don't understand why people just don't leave him alone. If he's facing off with a cat or a dog, don't step in between it," Ruth said.
(Copyright 2006 WABC-TV)
Eyewitness News' Carolina Tarazona
(Fairfield, Conn.-WABC, March 28, 2006) -
We often report stories about neighborhoods living in fear. And this story is one of those, to be sure. But the culprit here is a cat.
And residents of the Sunset Circle neighborhood of Fairfield, Connecticut say the cat is terrorizing them. He's attacked at least half a dozen people.
Eyewitness News reporter Carolina Tarazona has the story.
On house arrest, Lewis the cat can't go outside ever. This is because he's accused of attacking several neighbors.
76-year-old Janet Kettman has scars still. She says: "I had eight scratches and three bites."
Ruth Cisero, the cat's owner, says the 10-pound feline who was a stray cat isn't ferocious, he's just misunderstood and even tried Prozac.
"I've been arrested. I don't even have a speeding ticket, so this whole thing has been a nightmare."
Lewis has been living with her for five years and she says he's never purposefully attacked anyone. She says the cat only reacts when provoked.
Not so, says Rachel Solveira. She runs the animal control office in Fairfield. Solveira says house arrest is the only option. After receiving complaints since December, they tried to give Ruth's cat a temporary restraining order.
"I believe if kept indoors at all times and the owner is vigilant about not letting him escape, it's not a problem," Solveira said.
That's what neighbors want, but Ruth says she's planning to fight and won't give up until Louie runs free.
"I'm sorry for what's happened. I don't understand why people just don't leave him alone. If he's facing off with a cat or a dog, don't step in between it," Ruth said.
(Copyright 2006 WABC-TV)