Cat Custody Battle

Two women in California are in a battle over the custody of a tuxedo cat.
Tiffany Mestas tracked her cat through a microchip to the home of a retired nurse, Therese Weczorek, nearly seven years after the cat went missing. Mestas tried to get information about the cat in the previous years, but the company did not have any of the whereabouts of the cat until Weczorek tried to change the chip ID.

Weczorek's attorney said that she adopted the cat in good faith five years ago from an animal rescue center(which turned out to be unlicensed). Weczorek took care of the cat and made sure he was happy and healthy.

Mestas claims that Weczorek illegally adopted the cat. The state law says that the pet has to be scanned for identification before ownership can be claimed. In this case, that would revoke Weczorek's adoption of the cat.

Comments from Allen:

This is turning out to be one very expensive cat.  Custody battles are not cheap, and the adopting veterinarian  turned down a $1,000 reward offered by Mestas.

It appears the animal shelter in this case did not follow state law in checking for ownership of the animal before adopting it out.  I would anticipate this is a fatal flaw in Weczorek's claim to ownership of the cat.  Her remedy is to sue the animal shelter which provided her the cat; and as happens so often, that animal shelter is now out of business and as a practical matter there is no one left standing that she can sue for damages.  It is all cat or nothing for Weczorek, and she is going for broke.And I expect her to lose.

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Allen Browning is an attorney in Idaho Falls, Idaho who handles personal injury and criminal defense. He has over 30 years of experience and handled thousands of cases. Allen work with cases from all over Idaho. Call (208) 542-2700 to set up a free consultation if you are facing legal trouble or you have been involved in an accident.

Also, check out browninglaw.net for more information about Allen and Browning Law.

Allen Browning can help with all personal injury claims including motor vehicle accidents, serious and disabling accidents, and wrongful death claims.

Allen Browning is an Idaho Falls attorney who can also help with drunk driving (DUI) , Felony, Misdemeanor, Domestic Violence, Drug Crimes, Theft, Juvenile Crimes, Violent Crimes, and Probation/Parole Violations. He is one of the most experienced and successful criminal defense attorneys in Idaho.
Allen is able to provide his services if the incident takes place in the following Idaho Areas: American Falls, Arco, Blackfoot, Burley, Driggs, Idaho Falls, Malad City, Pocatello, Rexburg, Rigby, Salmon, St. Anthony, Twin Falls, Bannock County, Bingham County, Bonneville County, Butte County, Cassia County, Clark County, Fremont County, Jefferson County, Lemhi County, Madison County, Oneida County, Power County, Teton County, and Twin Falls County.    

Sources for more information:

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-women-battle-in-court-for-beloved-tuxedo-cat/

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/news/4209621-181/cat-custody-battle-plays-out

http://wn.ktvu.com/story/29565014/cat-at-the-center-of-north-bay-custody-battle

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