Woman Ordered to Spend Night in Woods for Abandoning Kittens

[CatWoman]

The *itch!!!!!

Should have given 33 nights -- one for each kitten.

Nov. 17, 2005 — An Ohio woman has been sentenced to spend a night in the woods without water, food or light, as punishment for abandoning 33 kittens.

Painesville Municipal Court Judge Michael A. Cicconetti handed down the sentence today to animal rescuer Michelle M. Murray, 25. On Sept. 19, park rangers found the kittens abandoned in two parks in Mentor, Ohio.

When authorities traced the animal abandonment to Murray, they said, she told them that she left the kittens because she was moving and having personal problems.


Murray pleaded guilty to abandoning domestic animals, a second-degree misdemeanor. She could have faced 90 days in jail and a $750 fine, but Judge Cicconetti decided to impose a more unusual sentence.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/LegalCenter/story?id=1322751

[Fenris]

1. What's an *itch?

:shrug:

:hide:

[CatWoman]

5. a BITCH, ok?

I didn't want the "PC" crowd to get bent out of shape.

[Fenris]

8. I'm just ribbin' ya.

:blush:

[SoCalDem]

2. Good.. but the question I have is

WHY did she even HAVE 33 kittens? I thought I was bad with 8..

Surely a neighbor or family member could have intervened.. She has some mental issues..

A night in the woods is appropriate punishment however..

[eyesroll]

3. I bet she could successfully appeal that sentence.

Sounds like an assaut waiting to happen, frankly, if people know when she'll be serving her sentence.

(Yes, I know, "poor little cute defenseless kittens." Not talking fairness of punishment here. Talking legality of punishment.)

[HEyHEY]

4. What kinda fucked up legal system is this?

[CatWoman]

7. we need to feed your ass to the polar bears

[HEyHEY]

20. It is fucked up - yeah she's wrong, but what kinda punishment is that?

[tk2kewl]

43. maybe she should be forced to eat a mouse too

:shrug:

[Zuni]

6. I would give her the 90 days in jail

I am feeding a group of homeless cats that live in the woods at the edge of my community, around a little stream.

it was so cold last night, I took food out to them before I went to work this morning.

poor little cats are probably gonna die this winter :(

I would give her the maximum penalty

[pitohui]

9. the judge is clearly setting her up to be beaten or raped

i don't care how attached you are to your feral cats, to put a woman out alone in the dark when people know it is happening is an open invitation to the sociopaths

the judge belongs in a federal prison for abuse of his office

the woman should serve her sentence in a jail with other women or do community service

not alone, in the dark, in the woods

we have no right to be self-righteous and pretend we care one little damn abt the lives and safety of others if we do not even care abt the life and safety of a member of our species, it's pure hypocrisy

[Shell Beau]

12. I agree.

Jail is fine! She deserves to be punished. Never let her own a pet again, but do not put her life at risk by doing something this damn stupid. And if the woods are anything like they are here, there are coyotes, wolves, boars, huge deer, bears, bobcats, etc. Please, this is stupid!

[Solon]

21. Not really, I would imagine...

That, in order for the sentence to be carried out, she would have sentries (Patrol officers) posted all night.

[Shell Beau]

23. Still what about all of the wild animals in the woods?

I know our woods are filled with all kinds of animals that are dangerous! Snakes, bears, wolves, coyotes, boars, etc!!

[Solon]

28. Not really at this time of year...

Especially in Ohio, the Bears are usually finishing up on the fattening stage before hybernating, Wolves I don't think are ppresent in that area, and coyotes don't usually attack humans, besides the sentries in question would have to protect her from said attacks anyways. Also, as far as snakes, if they aren't burrowed into the ground now, they are so lethargic in the cold that they are practically harmless, plus I can't think of any, off the top of my head, that are poisonous or particularly dangerous to humans in Ohio, someone correct me if I'm wrong.

[Shell Beau]

30. Okay, so let's kill any animals that attack her!

Makes perfect sense! Punish her for hurting animals, yet kill any that might hurt her! :crazy:

[Solon]

33. The point I'm making is this...

The chances of her being attacked by wild animals in the woods, staying there for only one night, is about the same as winning the powerball twice. Besides, its not necessarily shoot to kill in order to dissuade attacks, loud noises, shining lights, fire, etc. could all be used by the sentries if an attack occurs, most animals will not persist in such attacks unless it is really worth it, and smelling, let's say, 3 or 4 sentries in addition to the woman, will be enough to dissuade most predators, even bears.

You have to remember, most people who get lost in the woods, or stay in the woods, are NOT attacked by animals unless they do something extremely stupid, like poking a hornet's nest, or disturbing a mother bear's den, with cubs inside, things like that damn near guarantee an attack. I've slept under the stars, even in weather like this, it is really no big deal if properly carried out.

[Shell Beau]

34. It would be a big deal to me.

Maybe Mississippi is different. But you can't guarantee that a snake wouldn't bite her or whatever else. Taking that chance it just stupid. Plus what about the temperature? This whole idea is just absurd. This judge must be a loon.

[Solon]

52. Actually, Ohio is very different...

The worst part would be the cold, obviously that could theoratically kill her. Though, one nights stay in the woods, in a decent winter coat and heat packs will ensure survival unless she has some medical condition that drastically reduces survival. Ohio has a more continental climate than Mississippi where, even at this time of year, temps there are usually warm enough to sustain reptiles like snakes, and other exothermic animals(spiders), so that they can remain active, but a little further north in the midwest, and they completely dissappear, usually around the end of October, they are lucky to be active two hours of the DAY, not night, its far too cold for them then.

[Jamastiene]

53. You make the most sensible points about animal attacks.

Most of the time, animals do not attack.

[Zuni]

32. I said I would give her jail time

I do not like this quasi legal punishment anyway.

it is stupid and will guarantee an appeal and will probably be overturned on appeal

[alarimer]

63. And she could die of exposure

It doesn't have to be very cold for someone to get hypothermia, especially if you are unprepared.

[Shell Beau]

10. I'm all for the poor kitties. And she certainly deserves

punishment, but that is not the right way to go about it. There is no way I would spend the night in the woods. That is just ridiculous. Send her to jail.

[nini]

25. She's getting a taste of her own medicine

fitting punishment for her.

[Shell Beau]

27. I disagree. I hope this isn't what our legal system

has come to. What about people who kill other people? Should they get what they gave? I just think this is insensible. :shrug: There are all kinds of things in the woods that can cause her physical harm.

[nini]

35. well obviously I don't mean murder etc. should fall under this rule

I don't have pity for her and I'm not going to apologize for it.

She could have done many things with those kittens - there are shelters every where.

People camp in the woods all the time. Let her lay there all night and get the point that the kittens were defenseless etc.. It would have been more merciful if they had been put to sleep.

[Shell Beau]

36. Don't get me wrong, I don't have pity for her either.

I don't like any abuse or neglect for animals epecially ones who can't really defend themselves. But the usual jail time would work for me!!




:)

[nini]

39. Sure you do..

you're worried about her or your arguments wouldn't be what they are.


I get what you're saying - I just don't care about her like she didn't care about the kittens :evilgrin:

[Shell Beau]

40. Fair enough!

I do care for her physical well being just b/c she is a person. But I don't like what she did and I think she should most certainly be punished!!

:hi: :)

[nini]

42. I'm meaner than you are :D

When it's all said and done.. NO - I don't want her hurt, but a night full of time to think and feel what the kittens must have - works for me.

The thing is in her situation.. she gets to go home after one night and have food, water and shelter waiting. The kittens were on their own with no survival skills.

[Shell Beau]

45. You're not mean!

I am with you on all of that, but I just don't want this to be where our legal system is going! It scares me!

:7

[friesianrider]

46. Actually, people who kill others do often get what they gave.

It's called capital punishment, and it's legal.

I say good for the judge. That bitch should have to spend 30 days for each kitten outside in the woods.

[Shell Beau]

47. My point is that "most" liberals are against capital

punishment. And she shouldn't spend the night outside. She should be punished the way other people do, jail. The judge sounds loony!

[friesianrider]

48. I'm a liberal, I'm not necessarily against capital punishment.

And we're not talking death here, we're talking a few nights in the woods. Jail is so cushy these days, she'd learn nothing.

She'll easily survive, I promise. Knowing this country, the state will have a Hyatt built exclusively for her with cable TV and a king size bed while she's on her "punishment."

If you ask me, she got off WAY too easy.

[Zuni]

31. there is nothing legal about this punishment

[nini]

37. I wasn't arguing jurisprudence

If I was the judge.. I doubt I would have given that sentence. I would have forced her to work in a shelter for a couple months.

But being this is what it is.. I have no sympathy for her whatsoever.

[liberalitch]

11. Where are these kitties now?

I hope they didn't die of exposure. :-(

[Shell Beau]

13. I hope the woman doesn't either!

I mean, I've said it enough already but send the woman to jail. Fine her. Never let her own a pet again, but do not do something this freakin' ridiculous.

[liberalitch]

18. Never let her own a pet again..... that'll work.

I know that I would be heartbroken......
My home is my HOME because the fellas are there..... Montana and Spooky are the bestest!

[Shell Beau]

24. Well, I said that was part of it!

Jail time of course is deserved too! But not spending the night in the woods. That is absurd.

And on edit, I feel for the kittens for sure! I have 3 dogs and it breaks my heart when I see strays. I hurt for them.

[liberalitch]

38. If I was to (buddha forbid) become homeless..... i would figure out a way

to keep my beasts safe and with me.

When my life is in the shitter..... the only thing I want is peace and quiet with the commie and the fellas

[Shell Beau]

41. I would too! No doubt about it. They are part of my

family, and I love my babies with all of my heart. I don't understand why she did what she did. I think it is sick. I hate it for those poor kitties. She deserves to be punished. I am certainly not arguing against that!

[El Fuego]

14. She got off easy

She should have done TIME!

[Shell Beau]

15. She should do time.

Putting a woman in the woods is dangerous and irresponsible and freakin' ridiculous.

[Love Bug]

16. Let the punishment fit the crime

She should do time working in an animal shelter cleaning the cages!

[Shell Beau]

17. Good idea! And also bathing all of the animals. Feeding them.

All of the get down and dirty stuff! (not to mention the poo)

[Jamastiene]

55. I would be against that idea.

You mentioned jail time, which I think she oughta get in addition to her sentence, but she should not be allowed to work with animals even at a shelter. Trust me. The only animals that would attempt to attack anyone in the woods in most cases are the two-legged types. The meanest animals in the world are human beings. Sincerely, the only way she can serve her current sentence is if cops watch her and the scent of that many humans will keep most animals away. It is a slippery slope in other cases, but I have to admit I'm partial to cats. They've been there for me when humans were not. I haven't forgotten that little fact.

[LostinVA]

19. Did the kittens die????????????//

[hobo_baggins]

22. this seems to fit the definition of cruel and unusual punishment

i'd give her the 90 days in jail.

[WeRQ4U]

26. That's the most ridiculous sentence I've ever heard.

I hate these neo-midevil shaming sentences people get. What's wrong with a few days in the clink and a few hundred bucks in fines and fees?

Are we going to implement the stocks and have people throw food at her for her second offense?

I think it's dumb.

[Pithlet]

51. I agree.

It's a trend I'd like to see nipped in the bud. It's not that I don't think she deserves it. I completely feel the sentiment behind it. I just don't see how this will stand up legally, and I don't believe it should.

[Mutley]

29. While I can't stand people who abuse animals...

I don't think this punishment is appropriate. It would seem like cruel and unusual punishment to me. Send her to jail for the maximum amount of time AND fine her, but making her sit in the woods alone and in the dark without food or water is crazy -- and no better than what she did to those cats.

[nini]

44. Another point.. why the hell did she have THIRTY THREE kittens?

hello???


who has that many kittens? She obviously didn't spay her adult cats and let the breeding go unchecked.

She needs her ass kicked :grr:

[japple]

58. People who have that many animals are usually mentally ill. They're

called "collectors" because they collect poor, defenseless animals, thinking that "no one else will care for them if I don't." There are many, many people like this.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

49. A fine and community service would be appropriate.

But leaving her in the woods? Hell, no.

[realisticphish]

50. cruel and unusual?

cruel could be debated, but it's sure as fuck unusual, and i don't know how legal. i'd appeal the hell out of it.




doesn't make her not a piece of shit, though

[joeybee12]

54. Wasn't the death penalty an option?

The double *itch!

[bertha katzenengel]

56. inhuman c you next tuesday

:nuke:

[donheld]

57. Praise be for this activist judge

I hope there are more like this one. People can be so stupid with animals.

[NaturalHigh]

59. I have no sympathy for this woman,

and I have no problem with this punishment. If anything, it's too lenient.

[JVS]

60. Isn't "unusual" punishment like this forbidden by the Constitution?

[Guy Fawkes]

61. What's the constitution?

Are you some kind of liberal democrat commie!? THIS IS AMERICA!
:vomit: damn republicans

[LisaL]

62. Old-fashioned prison sentence would be a lot more appropriate.