BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) -- A state judge on Tuesday spared the life of Lewis the cat, whose vicious attacks on neighbors landed his owner in court, but the terrorizing tomcat was ordered confined to the house at all times.
"There are no exceptions. None," Judge Patrick Carroll told Lewis' owner, Ruth Cisero.
If Lewis gets out, even accidentally, Cisero could face up to 6 months in prison, and Lewis' fate would be in the hands of animal control officers.
Cisero had faced a charge of reckless endangerment because neighbors complained that the gray and white cat's long claws and stealth had allowed it to attack at least a half-dozen people. Some who were bitten and scratched ended up seeking treatment at hospitals.
The judge ordered Cisero to complete two years of probation, after which her record will be expunged.
Cisero had fought to keep Lewis, and rejected a previous probation deal because it was contingent on euthanizing the cat.
"I never thought it would come to this," she said. "It's been an absolute nightmare. It's ruined my life."
The cat's case has drawn national attention, with Lewis appearing in People magazine and on his own page on MySpace.com. A Utah animal sanctuary offered to take the cat, but Eugene Riccio, Cisero's attorney, said Lewis enjoys life in southern New England
Read full story in Wednesday's Connecticut Post.
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Lewis offered reprieve in Utah
By Dan Tepfer
With the specter of the death penalty hanging over his head, Fairfield's ferocious feline, Lewis the cat, may find salvation in the homeland of the Mormons.
The Best Friends Animal Society of Kanab, Utah, which bills itself as the nation's largest no-kill animal sanctuary, has offered to take Lewis free of charge.
"If necessary to save the life of Lewis the cat, we agree to provide Lewis with a place to live out his life at our sanctuary," Russ Mead, Best Friends' general counsel, wrote to Superior Court Judge Patrick Carroll in Bridgeport.
Carroll is expected to decide Lewis' fate on Tuesday when he considers an application for accelerated rehabilitation for Lewis' owner, Ruth Cisero of Fairfield. Cisero was charged with first-degree reckless endangerment after Lewis, who previously had been accused of biting and clawing neighbors, attacked Maureen Bachtig of Sunset Circle in February. Lewis also was accused of attacking an Avon saleswoman.
Another judge told Cisero she would grant her accelerated rehabilitation — a special form of probation — on condition that Lewis was put to death, which Cisero has refused to do.
"I'm happy to hear there are other options for Lewis, but our primary objective is to resolve the case to the satisfaction of the neighbors while also keeping Lewis in his home with Miss Cisero," Assistant State's Attorney Charles Stango said.
Cisero's lawyer, Eugene Riccio, agreed that keeping Lewis in Fairfield is the best resolution for the case.
"Lewis enjoys life in southern New England and, if at all possible, he would like to remain here," he said.
At Best Friends, Lewis would be living a life of luxury.
The sanctuary is on more than 3,000 acres in the wilderness of southern Utah. The facility has accommodations for about 600 cats, housed in climate-controlled bungalows, each with a distinct theme and name.
There's Kitty Motel, Wildcat Village, Colonel's Barracks — named for a cat that killed chickens — and Jill's Diner. Cats with medical problems are treated at Happy Landings.
Once at Best Friends, Lewis would join other troubled cats, like Lois, who is known to be tricky, and George, a known biter.
"He would be cared for by specialists who know how to handle cats with behavior problems," Mead said.
In his letter to the judge, Mead specifically addresses the concern that Lewis could get out and threaten the lives of the public.
"Our nearest neighbor is a highway curio shop located four miles away from our cat buildings," he wrote.
Denny's Wigwam is four miles from the sanctuary as the crow flies. The shop sells Western wear and Indian curios, and it could be right in Lewis' path should he make a break for freedom.
Victor Sandonato, the owner of Denny's Wigwam, said he had been warned that Lewis might be staying at the sanctuary.
"Oh, yes," he said. "I've heard all about him."
But Sandonato said he is not afraid.
"I live with a cat just like Lewis, and I live with danger every time I go home at night," he said.
But what would happen if Lewis should actually head his way?
"I'm from South Jersey, so I don't take any crap from a cat," he said.
Daniel Tepfer, who covers state courts and law enforcement issues, can be reached at 330-6308.
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