In the United States, two women were sentenced to prison (suspended sentence), conditional release and fines of $100 plus court costs for feeding and trapping stray cats.
We are in Wetumpka, Alabama. In June, Mary Alston and Beverly Roberts, who are now 61 and 85 respectively, were arrested in the town centre.
The two women fed the stray cats and then locked them in a trap. They then sterilized them at their own expense before releasing them where they had trapped them or, in some cases, trying to get them adopted.
The prosecution argued that the women’s behavior was a public nuisance, as the availability of food attracted more animals to the area. The police had repeatedly ordered the two ladies to stop.
Mary and Beverly were convicted of trespassing; Mary also for having obstructed the operations of a state organ, Beverly also for disturbing the public peace.
The defense of the two ladies argued that the trial was a retaliation by the mayor in particular against Beverly, who had often complained about the mayor’s inattention to animal welfare. The mayor, called to testify, denied this accusation.
In the courtroom, the octogenarian lady stood up to the accusations until the end; When the city judge told her that the reason for her conviction wasn’t feeding the cats, Beverly snapped back, “I know, because feeding cats isn’t illegal!”
The defense has announced that it will appeal.
