Judge to Rule if 'Meowing' Is Harassment

MyWayNews ^ | 8/26/06 | MyWayNews

[freedom44]

JEANNETTE, Pa. (AP) - Meow. A district judge has been asked to decide whether that word is a harmless taunt or grounds for misdemeanor harassment. Jeannette police charged a 14-year-old boy for "meowing" whenever he sees his neighbor, 78-year-old Alexandria Carasia.

The boy's family and Carasia do not get along. The boy's mother said the family got rid of their cat after Carasia complained to police that it used her flower garden as a litter box.

The boy testified Tuesday that he only meowed at the woman twice. Carasia testified, "Every time he sees me, he meows."

The boy's defense attorney, David Martin Jr., argued that the charge should be dismissed.

"This should never have been filed," Martin said. "This is not something that police should be wasting their time with or wasting the court's time."

Jeannette District Judge Joseph DeMarchis decided to wait 90 days before ruling. DeMarchis said his decision will be based on how the boy and his neighbor get along in the meantime.

[Palladin]

HAHAHA! Only in Pennsylvania...

[SuzyQue]

Meowing - judge - what the heck? Meowing is illegal? Good grief!

[Talking_Mouse]

When I read the title I thought it was some Dem whining about being called a 'fraidy cat. I now see it is about an old lady whining that her neighbors child makes cat noises at her, after said child lost his pet to said lady's complaint that said pet was using her flowers bed as a litter box. My feeling is meow away, kid.

[mom4kittys]

We had lots of un fun with this here:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1688766/posts

[aft_lizard]

Somebodies been watching alot of Super Troopers.

[netmilsmom]

>>The boy's family and Carasia do not get along. The boy's mother said the family got rid of their cat after Carasia complained to police that it used her flower garden as a litter box.<<

If you want a cat, keep it in your house.
I had a cat for 19 years, God Love him, and he NEVER went outside without a leash. YOU enjoy your pet, I don't need to. In my flowergarden or in my kid's sandbox, I don't need your cat's poop.

[Abathar]

Geez, we left burning bags of dog-doo and didn't get dragged to court when caught, this is so stupid it has moved the definition of stupid 4 markers to the left...

[Tribune7]

Why is this before a District Judge? Did the cops ever talk to the boy and tell him to knock it off before bringing charges?

[1rudeboy]

If that kid meowed at me in the same circumstances, I'd simply say, "Hey Junior! Where's the cat? I thought your Mom put her to sleep."

[jude24]

When I was in high school, I had a ninth grade english teacher who, according to the lore traveing across the school, ran over her pet cat only a year or so before. Some of the kids were merciless - meowing in class.

Last I heard, it was still going on 12 years after the cat's unfortunate demise.

Kids can be so cruel.

[Clint N. Suhks]

YIKES That is totally disturbing.

[Lx]

I agree, I love cats and have a few. Cats don't have any special privileges; keep them inside like any other animal. For one thing, they live longer plus they don't bring in diseases as well as killing birds.

I think some people are just lazy and think it's easier to let them outside to do their business instead of having and keeoing clean a litter box.

[tomzz]

Kid needs to save up and buy himself a bigger cat...

[South40]

I understand exactly what you mean. I have a Moluccan Cockatoo that I've had for over 20 years. My neighbors' cats not only use my yard as a litter box, but they've made it their mission to get my bird. I have no desire to cause harm to anyone's pet. But I'll be damned if I'll allow my bird to become expensive cat food.

Discussions with the neighbors resulted in comments such as: "You know how cats are; you just can't keep them from hunting".

Wrong. I can and I have.

[kinoxi]

If a neighbor made me get rid of a cat I loved when I was 14... oh,never mind. Meowing never would have crossed my mind.

[eleni121]

Some dog owners are far worse. I'd rather deal with almost invisible cat remains than what dogs leave.

And cats provide "rodent security" as well.

[mom4kittys]

They also dig a hole and cover it up.

[ScudBud]

I'd like to sic my tiger on her flowerbed!

[eleni121]

I did not know that about cats. They are adorable.