While Andrew and I tend to focus on bizarre animal news from the fringes of research and geography, every once in a while we like to do a fluff piece that is close to home...this next piece couldn't be fluffier or closer to home.
Between the years of 2003-2006, Lewis, a polydactyl, domestic longhair cat went on a terror spree in Fairfield, Connecticut (Andrew and my hometown); He was alleged to...
...have been involved in six or more attacks in Fairfield's Sunset Circle neighborhood, including biting and scratching an Avon Lady and killing and eating a herd of sheep...Ok, made up the herd of sheep thing. But his violence was legendary. Explained one neighbor
"His M.O. is to spring from behind you and what he does is wrap himself around your legs and he bites and scratches."
Lewis' owner, Ruth Cicero, was charged with reckless endangerment for allowing the dangerous Lewis to roam free after a judge imposed regulations on when the cat was allowed into suburbia. Rather than euthanize him, she continued to fight the case in court. The judge ordered Lewis to be on house arrest for a period of two years. This uncommon ruling for a pet led to national media attention and even "Save Lewis" t-shirts.
A census taker once tried to test me. I ate his liver with some Fancy Feast and a nice bowl of rancid milk...
The two years have now passed, and Lewis' case has been expunged. Ms. Cicero has not yet returned Zooillogix's request for an interview, but all reports seem to indicate that Lewis is permanently an "indoor" cat. The citizens of Fairfield can sleep...for now.
Humanities & Social Science
Comments
Macavity, Macavity, there's no one like Macavity, for he's a fiend in feline shape, a monster of depravity!!! :-D
A real, live Macavity! How good is that?
Posted by: Mrs Hilary Victoria Minor | July 5, 2008 4:07 PM
Well, technically, all cats in America should be indoor cats:
http://www.abcbirds.org/abcprograms/policy/cats/
Posted by: bug_girl | July 6, 2008 10:44 AM
ahhh, how I love this blog.
Posted by: mike spear | July 6, 2008 11:42 PM
I'm sure a billiondy farmers who employ outdoor cats to keep mice, rats and other vermin away would heartily disagree with the indoor cat idea. No? Life is a gigantic circle of life and death, and as fervently as I adore birds, cats should remain indoor/outdoor as they please for just such reasons. It helps keep things balanced. :-)
Posted by: Pat | July 8, 2008 6:56 PM
Lewis gets my vote for being all "big cat".
Had a similar large domestic pussy which became known in neighbourhood as The Big cat. He'd nick toast out the hands of kindergarten kids on their way to school. That's what cats do. They are survivors by any means.
Here in Australia cats are not popular as they have had a devasating effect on wild life.
Interestingly cats have been specially provided in the Pope's accommodation as he is a cat lover. He is in Sydney for World Youth day.
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Posted by: Tweet Gainsborough-Waring | July 13, 2008 11:31 PM