BRIDGEPORT — Lewis the cat is going on trial. Faced with getting probation on the condition she have her notorious Fairfield feline euthanized, Ruth Cisero on Tuesday instead chose a trial.

Through her new lawyer, criminal defense attorney Eugene Riccio, Cisero withdrew her application for accelerated rehabilitation and instead pleaded not guilty to second-degree reckless endangerment and elected a trial by jury.

Superior Court Judge Susan Reynolds continued the case to May 23.

"I'm going to do everything I can to keep my client from having a criminal record and to preserve her cat's life," Riccio said later.

Assistant State's Attorney Pamela Esposito, who has been assigned to prosecute the case, declined comment as she left the courtroom.

The case of Lewis, who was ordered confined to Cisero's High Street home after he attacked several women, including an Avon representative, has attracted international attention.

More than 500 "Save Lewis" T-shirts have been sold to raise funds for a defense fund for Cisero; a Westport lawyer has volunteered to be the cat's lawyer.

During the brief hearing Tuesday in the Golden Hill Street courthouse, Reynolds, the judge, acknowledged she has received e-mails in support of Lewis.

"But this case is going to be tried in the court," she said.

Reynolds attracted the ire of cat lovers when she

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agreed to grant accelerated rehabilitation to Cisero on the condition that Lewis be killed.

The offer was made on the insistence of neighbor Maureen Bachtig, who was reportedly attacked by Lewis Feb. 20.

In a letter to prosecutors, Bachtig said she would only agree to probation for Cisero if the cat were put to death.

Bachtig was in court Tuesday, but left without comment.

Cisero has maintained that she would rather leave Fairfield than have her cat killed.

Daniel Tepfer, who covers state courts and law enforcement issues, can be reached at 330-6308.