Regarding the Oct. 21 article, “Cat trapping leads to spat”:
We wish to point out a few basic facts not mentioned in the article:
RCW 9.08.070 states you may not “take, lead away, confine, secrete, or injure a pet animal,” a very basic and compelling state law, which Edmonds follows. Unfortunately, an Edmonds officer apparently recommended trapping, only to learn her authority to do so was removed in 2003.
Turbo had become an indoor cat 10 days prior to being lured onto the trapper’s property. He had got out due to my error. His indoor routine began after we had received a telephone threat stating, “Things happen to cats.”
Our decision was made due to our fear of this neighbor, who also reminded each of us individually we had insisted in 2000 that they begin to obey the dog leash law, so there is a triggering history of conflict.
The impounded cat had been injured, was filthy dirty, his identification missing, and he was very hungry after we were permitted to retrieve him and take him to the vet for examination. In two days he would have been put up for adoption or killed in nine days.
We realized our cats were going to be stay-at-home animals before the trapping took place because we feared they likely would be injured or worse by this property owner. We have clearly felt severe pain and suffering, so the trappers have made their sick point. Other neighbor cat owners fortunately are not currently being harassed by the trappers.
It would be even more unfortunate for severe and unnecessary restrictions on cats to be made into a restrictive law because of one single extreme event. And only qualified animal control officers should be trapping pet animals and then only in unusual situations.
Marge, Ray &Laura Martin
Edmonds
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