Advice needed on a kitten

Old Bill have to follow up on things reported but they should just have sent the local special round to sort it out.
 
uksoldierboy said:
Hi all,

I have a little situation involving a kitten that we've had now for around 2 months.
But first the back story.

A little over two months ago, my girlfriend's cousin rang her asking if we'd be interested in a kitten, both of us love animals and currently have two dogs and a cat, after talking about it we decided yes.

The kitten was found outside her cousins home, it was only around 6 weeks old and had been attacked by a dog, looked very hungry and was in quite a state.

After taking it in, the cousin and her partner found out that it belonged to a woman across the road, now apparently this woman isn't a responsible owner and has had a quite a few problems in the past with her pets (this is what we've been told by her cousin at least and later confirmed by the police).

So when the woman came around a week later, she's was told by the cousin and partner that they found the kitten, but it was later put down due to it's injuries. ( I know, a silly thing to say but i can at least understand why they said it trying to protect the kitten)

In the two months since we've had the kitten, we've had all it's injections taking care of, an ID chip put in, he's now healthy, happy and gets on great with our other pets, my girlfriend is besotted by him as he's a spitting image of her cat she had as a child.

Last night we had a message off her cousin telling us that the police and RSPCA had been to her house asking about the cat, some how the woman had found out it was alive. she went on to fill us in on the details with the woman owner etc as up until this point, all we knew is that they found a stray kitten that had been attacked, we were told that both the police and RSPCA would arrive to inspect our home, to make sure it's suitable.

Later that night the police turned up at my door with no RSPCA (One police officer and two PCSO's) telling us that they've been to this ladies home, and even though it's in a state (their words not mine) she must have her cat back.

I told them no chance, we have a lovely, clean home where this kitten is more than happy, we've spent money on making sure it's well looked after and this women has no evidence that "indi" is indeed her cat, he has a chip in him that puts us, as the rightful owners.

It confused me as ( i may be wrong here) neither me or my partner have committed a crime as far as i know, making this a civil matter and something the police shouldn't even be involved in?

they tried telling me that if we don't give the cat back, they would come and collect it, at which point i decided enough was enough and showed them out.

I know it's a little long winded guys but i just wanted to give you all the info i could.

My question is, where do me and my partner stand in regards to keeping this kitten?
Am i right in saying no crime has been committed and there for it's a civil matter?

Really don't want to see this kitten go back to a bad home, it would break my girlfriends heart.

Any help/advice at all would be really appreciated guys.

Thanks

David
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Quoted just in case you decide to delete it when you have fleshed out your lies.:p

Your cousin was utterly in the wrong to do this, particularly without telling you. You are not in an enviable position and no doubt you are attached, but you have no right to the cat. Second hand and subjective judgements on the woman's ability to look after the cat don't really change the situation.
 
There's no lies in there skidder,

In regards to her not being a responsible owner, i've said that i don't know her, and any info i've gathered on her may well be incorrect.

But if the police are telling me the house is in a state, my partner's cousin and other half telling me the same thing, i'm inclined to believe them.
 
Oh sorry skidder:D

Morally i will keep because if i don't at least try.. i fear my girlfriend will murder me.
I'll try contacting RSPCA though and get some info.
 
Its a bit of a moral gray area. Is it right to keep a cat from its owner? But at the same time, is it right to return a cat to an owner who is neglectful and could end up costing the cat its life, when you could keep it yourself and ensure its survival and happiness?
 
Wouldn't the RSPCA be able to offer legal advice in regards to this? If you get them on board they might sympathise with you and help mediate with the police
 
uh youv got it chipped, it was attacked at 6 weeks old - shouldnt even be out of the house! ffs!

let her prove that its hers, dont give it to the cops, they cant take it away from you unless you admit its the womens's cat. (which I wouldnt)

just play dumb....see if she takes you to court, then do her for neglect (more complicated then that ofc), or just say the cat did a runner and is now out in the wild if they come round again.

maybe give it to a friend for a few weeks whilst it blows over>!?!
 
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Craig1981 said:
Its a bit of a moral gray area. Is it right to keep a cat from its owner? But at the same time, is it right to return a cat to an owner who is neglectful and could end up costing the cat its life, when you could keep it yourself and ensure its survival and happiness?
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It's not really a moral grey area at all.

The RSPCA do similar things every day, and don't even necessarily provide a loving home at the end of it.

Or do you feel it is more moral to allow an innocent creature to continue living in an environment of neglect and abuse?

Owning a pet is a privilege but it also brings responsibilities, i.e. to provide a safe environment and the necessary food/medical care/etc. If the woman in question was a decent pet owner, then I'd be all for giving it back, but as has already been confirmed by the police, she's not.
 
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A simple, "I've no idea what you're talking about" uttered by everyone from the start would have prevented all of this.
 
if it is chipped in your name and she has no proof of ownership of the cat then the police have no right to take it from you. I have 3 myself, if i was told i had to give one of them away i would do anything i could to stop it so i understand your situation.

I agree with what people have said, this is a difficult topic, the best solution is to play it dumb, and defend the cat. Unless she can provide a photo or something of the cat with the same markings then the police can't really take it from you. Go to the rspca and see if they can help you.

Plus if there is proof that she is a neglectful owner if she does provide evidence then take the stance that she wont take care of it like she should and try and keep the cat on those grounds
 
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Skidder said:
Where does it say that?
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Both here:

uksoldierboy said:
After taking it in, the cousin and her partner found out that it belonged to a woman across the road, now apparently this woman isn't a responsible owner and has had a quite a few problems in the past with her pets (this is what we've been told by her cousin at least and later confirmed by the police).
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And here:

uksoldierboy said:
Later that night the police turned up at my door with no RSPCA (One police officer and two PCSO's) telling us that they've been to this ladies home, and even though it's in a state (their words not mine) she must have her cat back.
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If you're going to try to catch people out, at least read the OP first ;)
 
Since you have paid vet bills for the cat, you could argue that you have increased the value of the cat which would have probably died otherwise and therefore become worthless. Since you only had the best intentions its a reasonable to demand that if she wants to have the cat back she needs to compensate you for the care you have provided since it came to you. Since this stuff probably costs more than a new cat she will probably give up her claim.

You could offer to buy the cat from her, but of course that would be an acknowledgement she owns it.
 
Go and speak to the police, ask to speak to them 'off the record'. I'm sure they'd rather you keep the cat and will help you out on what to say etc. They are human after all.
 
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