Home owner asks her BIL ‘Is that (unknown) cat dead?”
BIL says, “No, but it’s sick.” Calls police.
Officer approaches cat. It doesn’t move, and all cats run away from strangers.
Officer realizes cat is sick, possibly rabid, and kills it.
Officer makes major mistake by not calling animal control. Officer should have made sure that no one approaches the cat until animal control removes it.
Officer, BIL, homeowner and the cat family need to be tested. By this time, they should all be getting medicine.
All cats run away from strangers? This 20 pound cat must be rabid?
I don’t think so.
The cat could have been hurt after being struck by a car,fight with a dog, or any number of reasons other than rabies.
Too many cowards scream “rabid” anytime they see an animal.
And when visiting ,I have had numerous cats approach in the same manner as a friendly dog,just wanted to be petted.
The Lebanon police chief ought to be fired for using a manual in conflict with Ohio state law,and for that manner the city attorney should be dismissed for not ensuring the city was in compliance with state law.They are paid to enforce law not make up their own. If it was my cat I would be demanding the Ohio state police or attorney general’s office investigate the police department and I would demand the officer be charged for violating state law.The state police typically don’t like arrogant small town cops.