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Woman Seeks Probation for Her Cat

Tuesday, May 23, 2006




(05-23) 12:35 PDT Bridgeport, Conn. (AP) --


Lewis the cat, whose alleged attacks have landed his owner in legal trouble, will learn his fate in court next month. Ruth Cisero, the cat's owner, was in court Tuesday on a charge of second-degree reckless endangerment. A hearing was set for June 20 to determine whether she could get special probation and have her cat's life spared.


Cisero recently withdrew her bid for special probation and opted for trial because she would have had to allow Lewis to be euthanized.


"She's on pins and needles," said Eugene Riccio, attorney for Cisero and Lewis. "The animal is important to her. It's a member of her family."


Neighbors say they have been terrorized by Lewis, saying the cat's long claws and stealth have allowed the cat to attack at least a half-dozen people and ambush the Avon lady as she was getting out of her car. One woman that Lewis attacked on Feb. 20 has said in a letter to prosecutors she would only agree to probation for Cisero if the cat were put to death.


A few animal-rights protesters showed up Tuesday wearing T-shirts in support of Cisero and Lewis.


"They want to kill a cat for a scratch," said Marisa Sampieri of Fairfield, one of the cat's supporters. "These people have to get a life."


Janet Kettman, one of the neighbors, said Monday she was attacked twice by Lewis. In the second attack last December, Kettman said Lewis bit her three times and left about eight deep scratches

(ambush the Avon lady) I love that part

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