Pet custody issue

[kookaburra]

I live in Maryland. My mother's husband was put in prison for about 7 months for violating his probation (he has a large rap sheet). Before he was locked up, and before my mom started to fear for her safety around him, they received a kitten together from a friend of the husband's. The former owner gave the cat to the BOTH of them, as a couple. Now that the husband is out of prison, he's trying to get the cat back and we have to go into court on Wednesday. The court matter isn't even about domestic issues - it's about the protective order my mother filed against him. We already went to court about this in February, and he's taking us back in primarily for the cat.

I know that he has a LOT of strikes against him (criminal record and all), but he also claims to have documentation for the cat. He's going to try and use this to get custody. He even may have his friend lie and say that the cat was given strictly to him (which doesn't make much sense seeing as they were together at the time). He has absolutely no conscious about lying. He'd lie against his own family in order to make himself look good.

While he has documentation of the rights to the cat, I have medical bill receipts for a checkup and an emergency treatment which probably saved the cat's life. On top of that I left her in the care of a vet overnight so that her freak bout of health could be closely supervised.

Is it likely that the husband will get the cat because of his paper?

 

[BelizeBreeze]

paying for medical care for the puss does not trump ownership.

Give the maingy thing to him and move on with your lives.

 

[eme76]

and maybe get mom a new kitty if she is sad about loosing this one


sad what some people will do just too be mean...i feel sorry for the cat if dad gets it

 

[kookaburra]

BelizeBreeze: Can you be less rude when you reply? It's not that easy to get rid of the "maingy thing" that we've bonded with like that of a child. She's not a toy, or a piece of furniture. I guess you wouldn't know anything about that. It sounds like you've never had a pet. The cat was given to BOTH of them, not just the husband.

 

[Ohiogal]

BelizeBreeze: Can you be less rude when you reply? It's not that easy to get rid of the "maingy thing" that we've bonded with like that of a child. She's not a toy, or a piece of furniture. I guess you wouldn't know anything about that. It sounds like you've never had a pet. The cat was given to BOTH of them, not just the husband.

Hate to tell you Kookaburra, but the cat is considered under the law as a piece of furniture or a toy. Pets are property under the law. They are not children of which one can win custody or visitation of but rather property which one owns.

 

[shell007]

BelizeBreeze: Can you be less rude when you reply? It's not that easy to get rid of the "maingy thing" that we've bonded with like that of a child. She's not a toy, or a piece of furniture. I guess you wouldn't know anything about that. It sounds like you've never had a pet. The cat was given to BOTH of them, not just the husband.

Oh brother!!!

 

[kookaburra]

Oh brother!!!

Hah, I know! What's wrong with me? Emotions are so silly.

 

[shell007]

Hah, I know! What's wrong with me? Emotions are so silly.

Sorry, but CHILDREN are starving in this country AND YOU are worried about "CUSTODY OF A CAT"?????

 

[BelizeBreeze]

BelizeBreeze: Can you be less rude when you reply?

no.

It's not that easy to get rid of the "maingy thing" that we've bonded with like that of a child.

If this damn cat is a 'child' then I bet labor was HELL.

She's not a toy, or a piece of furniture.

Yep, sure is under the law.

I guess you wouldn't know anything about that. It sounds like you've never had a pet. The cat was given to BOTH of them, not just the husband.

I've never had a pet? Boy, are you off your rocker.

Not only have I had pets before, I had, at the same time last year, 52 cats (all grand champions), three giant chows, two grand champions, and three thorobred hunter Jumpers, one who won the Iriquois Steeplechase twice.

And scruffy is worth more than that maingy thang you're pissing and moaning over. At least she's got a legally valid attached to her.

 

[shell007]

If this damn cat is a 'child' then I bet labor was HELL.

OMG THE CLAWS...THE CLAWS!!! OUCH!!!

 

[kookaburra]

no.

If this damn cat is a 'child' then I bet labor was HELL.

Yep, sure is under the law.

I've never had a pet? Boy, are you off your rocker.

Not only have I had pets before, I had, at the same time last year, 52 cats (all grand champions), three giant chows, two grand champions, and three thorobred hunter Jumpers, one who won the Iriquois Steeplechase twice.

And scruffy is worth more than that maingy thang you're pissing and moaning over. At least she's got a legally valid attached to her.

you ridiculous, uncompassionate snob. Glad you proved that your pets are BETTER than mine, you sniveling toad. It's obvious you like to make people feel like ****, so there's no point to this anymore. Nobody said we gave birth to the cat either, smartass. I think I am logical in thinking that someone who has a pet or has ever had a pet would be able to sympathize with my situation and at least be tactful when offering advice. It sounds like you own pets as trophies. If you're going to go the way of a snobby brat and say that your pets are automatically better than mine becuase they're groomed for stupid shows, I'm going to say I love my cat more than you love your pets. Jerk.

 

[shell007]

The court matter isn't even about domestic issues - it's about the protective order my mother filed against him.

SO...YOUR MOTHER NEEDS A PROTECTIVE ORDER, yet YOU "ARE CONCERNED" about the CAT"????

 

[kookaburra]

SO...YOUR MOTHER NEEDS A PROTECTIVE ORDER, yet YOU "ARE CONCERNED" about the CAT"????

My mother has the protective order. Our court date was for an extension, which she got.

She is incredibly upset about losing the cat. I can sympathize with her and don't want to lose the cat either. I think I would take it better than her, but I'd still be sad. Also, your comment about starving children could be used against anyone who complained about ANYTHING in the history of the world that was less important than starving children. You're trying to make me sound like a selfish person, but obviously that's not the case if I'm concerned about my pet (family). If the law considers pets as property, it doesn't mean I'm going to make that my personal belief. They're here to give love and receive love, and maybe I'm just not narrow minded. I have to accept the law's take on the issue, but I really expected a more mature response from an actual pet owner and "senior member" (BeliezeBreeze). Why pick on people who aren't as familiar with the law as you?

 

[eme76]

kook-

i know people get attached to pets
i had a cat as a child for 14years...i loved him very much...however he was still a CAT!

give dad the cat and get mom a new kitty to love...why drag this out with a man who she wants no contact with?

 

[BelizeBreeze]

My mother has the protective order. Our court date was for an extension, which she got.

She is incredibly upset about losing the cat. I can sympathize with her and don't want to lose the cat either. I think I would take it better than her, but I'd still be sad. Also, your comment about starving children could be used against anyone who complained about ANYTHING in the history of the world that was less important than starving children. You're trying to make me sound like a selfish person, but obviously that's not the case if I'm concerned about my pet (family). If the law considers pets as property, it doesn't mean I'm going to make that my personal belief. They're here to give love and receive love, and maybe I'm just not narrow minded. I have to accept the law's take on the issue, but I really expected a more mature response from an actual pet owner and "senior member" (BeliezeBreeze). Why pick on people who aren't as familiar with the law as you?

awww poor baby. Go buy a dog then you won't have to worry about the furball any longer

You can expect anything you want. But don't expect anyone with an inkling of the law to agree with you. Puss n Boots is a stick of furnitre to the court. And unless you have proof of ownership your paying to keep the furball alive will be considered a gift.

So, bring the furball to court with you....she's going bye bye.