ULPT Request: Woman hit my cat, left it to die, and shows no remorse.

[-]

bionicallyironic@reddit

If it’s a small community, I’d give her the title of “Cat Killer” and make sure to attach it to her full name whenever mentioned. “So you know I saw Courtney, the Cat Killer, and her haircut was awful. “Cat Killer Courtney” was at the grocery store today.” You could also make Cat Killer flyers and post them around town.

[-]

warmhealer@reddit (OP)

The flyers are a GREAT idea! Thank you for that. I’ll also be making a few ‘slow, cats!’ signs for those around town who want one I think

[-]

InmateThirtyFour@reddit

If I was said Cat Killer and you did this to me, I'd sue for Libel. Be careful. In the eyes of the law, your pet wasn't secured on a leash or in a yard. I don't blame the police for not doing anything. What can they do? This sucks, but it is what it is.

[-]

ApricotEvening5257@reddit

You'd sue someone for calling you a name?

[-]

InmateThirtyFour@reddit

Posting it on signs with my photo, hell yes I would.

[-]

Nanocephalic@reddit

That does seem like it could cause harm to the person identified on the flyer, and the ULPT crew may not be the best source for legal advice.

If you’re going to put up a flyer because one person in your “culture” doesn’t care about cats in the same way that you don’t care about any other animals, maybe be careful about how you word it.

[-]

Y33S@reddit

Plenty of people do

[-]

Miserable_Cherry1382@reddit

Not libel if its true. She killed their cat.

[-]

Dorithompson@reddit

Says who? OP? The person accused of libel? That’s not going to protect OP. However, if OP has a police report that’s another story.

[-]

djfdhigkgfIaruflg@reddit

Not reading the post followed by moving the goalpost.

You have a bright future awaiting

[-]

YeeYeeBeep@reddit

Probs got a hiring offer from The Daily Wire sitting in their email.

[-]

BlottomanTurk@reddit

Careful, they might sue you for libel!

!lol!<

[-]

Ineedmorebtc@reddit

The witnesses?

[-]

lifeisfascinatingly_@reddit

It’s not libel when it’s the truth.

[-]

Devil_May_Kare@reddit

You'd file a meritless lawsuit? I hope you live somewhere with strong anti-SLAPP protections to limit the damage you can do.

[-]

Dorithompson@reddit

Yes. The potential for a lawsuit is definitely there. Unless OP has the fees for a lawyer to deal with the basics I would stay away from a flyer.

[-]

djfdhigkgfIaruflg@reddit

Too much time spent on the us.

The rest of the world won't allow frivolous lawsuits like that.

[-]

Dorithompson@reddit

Because they don’t really care about justice? Odd take.

[-]

SuspiciousStress1@reddit

&if you were said cat killer, you would lose in court-but good on you for wanting to waste your money with lawyers!!

Also, there are no leash laws for cats-theyre not required to be on leashes or secured on property the way dogs are(in 99% of jurisdictions-there are a few in the EU changing those laws, but it will be a long time before we see it here!)

Seems maybe you dont have the grasp of the law you think you do 🤷‍♀️

[-]

Dorithompson@reddit

Did you study cat law?

[-]

djfdhigkgfIaruflg@reddit

It's called civil law

[-]

djfdhigkgfIaruflg@reddit

Libel is for FALSE accusations.

[-]

Cynical_Tripster@reddit

OK boomer.

If I am driving a car, and I run over a pheasant, I am a pheasant killer.

If I'm driving a car, and I run over a raccoon, I am a raccoon killer.

If I'm driving a car, and I run over a person, and they die, I get charged with Manslaughter.

She killed a cat, and shows no remorse, and even is seemingly victim blaming. By SHEER FUCKING DEFINITION she is a cat killer. Do you also ask to speak with management when a head cashier has to swipe their badge on another cashiera register because you're being ignored, or are you just re[dacted]?

[-]

deleted_by_reddit@reddit

[removed]

[-]

AutoModerator@reddit

Your comment has been removed for using a banned word or phrase.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[-]

Brilliant-Basil-884@reddit

Um, it isn't libel if it's true. There were withesses and she has confessed in writing on SM and in person.

[-]

T2LV@reddit

Pretty sure for it to be Libel is must be a false statement which in this case it is not.

[-]

pellakins33@reddit

Assuming you’re in the states, to sue for libel Cat Killer would have to provide evidence OP is making up lies about them or didn’t take reasonable measures to verify the truth.

Cat Killer did kill a cat, and OP has both witnesses and social media posts to prove that. You’re not going to be able to sue for libel just because someone said something mean about you. As long as OP doesn’t cross the line into harassment, there wouldn’t be much Cat Killer could do. And bringing a frivolous lawsuit is only going to draw attention and make their reputation worse

[-]

swirlybat@reddit

how would libel apply here? please inform the class

[-]

warmhealer@reddit (OP)

The issue at hand is that she was speeding through a 25mph zone in a rush, and that he was hit on the double yellow line.. it could’ve been avoided

[-]

Odd_Alps_7468@reddit

Since successful libel cases are predicated on false statements being made, and there are witnesses to the killing of a cat, which it doesn't even sound like the cat killer is denying, as long as op sticks to the facts about what happened, I don't think libel is going to be an issue. "Op is telling everyone I'm a cat killer" "Didn't you kill their cat?" "Well, yeah" "Then shut your cunty face you soulless twat"

[-]

Double_Station3984@reddit

That’s not how libel works. She killed the cat. Harassment, maybe. I dunno specifically where OP lives so I can’t know for sure, but dude. She killed the cat.

[-]

hewhosleepsnot@reddit

Wouldn’t it be substantially true that you would be a car killer though and thus a defense to libel?

[-]

Edges8@reddit

if she acknowledged killing the cat as it seems, a libel case would be doa. truth is an absolute defense to defamation

[-]

brainhack3r@reddit

Also, note that truth and reality is a defense against defamation (slander/libel). So you can post fliers in your community warning people to keep their cats inside because there's a cat killer present.

[-]

Pitiful_Jump2996@reddit

Include a link to her FB profile

[-]

BantedHam@reddit

Do they have a lawn? Take some bleach in the middle of the night and write cat killer on the lawn with it, it'll show up as a dead spot a few days later and won't regrow for a while.

[-]

Pitiful_Jump2996@reddit

If you can get realistic looking fake dead cats, buy a bunch of them and leave it on her door step everyday.

Get pictures of cats that have been run over from the Internet, print them out and paste them all around her house. Leave one on the windshield of her car everyday

[-]

bigfathairymarmot@reddit

Everyday is too predictable, good way to get caught. I might know from personal experience.

[-]

WesTxStoner425@reddit

Poster should say "Because Practice Is More Important". Attach a picture of Allen Iverson saying "Practice? PRACTICE?"

[-]

pichael288@reddit

This shit, well the opposite actually, happened the day I was supposed to take my SAT, had an extra hour so I just kinda drove around the area. Could see it in slow motion, and old lady with her grandkids outside and the little teacup poodle jumps off the porch and into the road, just fucking stood there. And I drove off the road and nearly killed myself. Much preferable to squashing a dog in front of children. Lady came over screaming at me though, speed limit was 25 so no real damage but man, fuck that lady.

[-]

chrizzo_89@reddit

Maybe don’t let your cat wander outside as getting hit by cars is a very common and predictable outcome.

[-]

warmhealer@reddit (OP)

We’re a well, long established TNR colony town. All residents, and those who know about the area, are aware. I’ve had cats hit previously when I was a kid- this is just a thing heavily present in the south, and a well accepted fact.

That does not excuse her behavior.

[-]

Nanocephalic@reddit

Stop thinking about your cat, and think about the hundred of animals it kills every year.

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/empathy

[-]

ColourBlindPower@reddit

Are you aware of how many birds are killed by house cats every year?

And are you aware of the average lifespan of indoor vs ~~abandoned~~ outdoor cats?

[-]

sneakystonedhalfling@reddit

I live in the south and would never allow my cats to roam freely outside. Don't use your culture as an excuse for your lenient pet ownership. If you don't want your animals hit by cars keep them out of the street.

[-]

chrizzo_89@reddit

I don’t know dude, I also live in the south, if I had an animal I love and adore I wouldn’t let it wander outside off leash. I’m sad your animal is dead and it sucks that someone hit it with a car and didn’t stop but ultimately it’s your job as a pet owner to keep your animal leashed or inside. It sounds like you are externalizing blame. Outdoor cats have a significantly lower life expectancy than indoor cats due to disease, predation, motor vehicle accidents and other traumas. This is common knowledge.

[-]

warmhealer@reddit (OP)

It’s literally just a different culture here- it’s how everyone around here’s been brought up. I’m not trying to externalize blame here; he was indoor/outdoor, like the dozens of other cats around here. I’m not saying it’s /not/ common knowledge- and I fully accept the responsibility of my actions. It’s the way she responded and handled it that I want to take action on.

[-]

chrizzo_89@reddit

Do you have radar verified proof this person was speeding? Hate to break it to you but a 15 lb cat vs car tire is probably deadly in every scenario even at 25 miles per hour. Cats like to dart across roads very fast and I’m not sure what this person was supposed to do, veer and hit another car? Wreck her car because your animal was off leash and outside? Cat owners like to act like their animal is entitled to be outside like a wild animal but somehow have the privilege of not being treated like a squirrel or a deer. If you let your animal roam wild outside don’t act confused when they get hit by a car like a wild animal. I’ve accidentally hit deer with my car at dusk, am I required to take the deer to the vet or sit around and wait for the deer’s owner to arrive?

[-]

Nanocephalic@reddit

Outdoor cats are a scourge, but killing a pet without remorse is psychopathic behaviour.

Definitely piss disk time. But there are two ethical things to do: First, name and shame. Local facebook groups are the usual.

Second, you need to understand that your cute fluffy kitty kills birds and rodents over and over again just as a thing they like to do. The driver showed as much remorse about your cat as you show for the wildlife you allow your cat to kill. So if you’ve just gotta have a cat, make it an indoor cat. And learn some fucking empathy for the hundreds of outdoor critters your cat kills every year.

[-]

PomeloPepper@reddit

You make up an old curse about what someone has to do after killing a cat to avoid consequences from the universe/local cats/ etc.. There has to be some kind of ritual or sacrifice of food, money, etc. in order to keep the curse from attaching. It has to be done by some arbitrary time that has already passed - like three days, or the new moon or high tide . . .

Get your friends and family to start gossiping about the curse and how she missed the deadline. Start giving her the side eye, crossing yourself and crossing the street. Act like everyone knows abut this curse except for her.

Build a whole mythology as a tribute to your cat. And to slow down other drivers.

[-]

A_Kazur@reddit

You seem confused why the police won’t help but it’s because there’s no crime in hitting an animal that jumps onto the road. Especially given outdoor cats are hugely at risk for this shit. She’ll just say it was unavoidable so unless you have a video of her comically murdering the cat it won’t result it anything and is a waste of police resources.

She sounds like a dick, be a dick back if you want unethical advice.

TNR doesn’t mean you can have strays wander the roads without consequences either.

[-]

Tw1ch1e@reddit

Serious question…. What was she supposed to do? Your cat was in the road and got hit. What exactly did you expect from a passing motorist? Stop and do what? Apologize to you for your cat in the road?

[-]

warmhealer@reddit (OP)

By law, she was required to stop, as it was a cat (hit on the double yellow line in the road with 3+ foot of shoulder). She was required to either knock on a door, grab the outside neighbors attention, and let someone know. She is also a local, and knows how things work around here. All she had to do was move over a foot and she would’ve avoided him. God damn right she was supposed to apologize, considering there’s multiple PROTECTED colonies around here.

[-]

ColourBlindPower@reddit

So you're telling me, she'd be off the hook if she stopped, told a bystander or someone nearby what happened, then drove off anyways? What a joke of a place you live in.

"Let's not solve the problem, let's just keep passing the responsibility along because God forbid a pet owner is responsible for their own pet"

[-]

SandyBayou@reddit

She wasn't required to do a single one of those things. YOU, however, ARE required to secure your pet and not have it running around in the roads regardless of what your ridiculous culture observes.

[-]

warmhealer@reddit (OP)

Duty of driver to stop applies here, as it would if you struck a deer.

[-]

Empty-Development298@reddit

Grieve your cat properly. This is not the way to go about it.

[-]

warmhealer@reddit (OP)

I spent the entire day yesterday kneeling on his grave, and haven’t slept virtually any. I’m fully grieving my boy. But when someone shows absolutely no remorse over such an action, accountability must be had- and I’m at a loss.

[-]

pjkm123987@reddit

just get a new cat there's many around

[-]

SandyBayou@reddit

Looks like there are quite a few just running around in this "culture" to choose from.

[-]

bionicallyironic@reddit

Tell me you’ve never had a meaningful pet without telling me you’ve never had a meaningful pet. What a callous response.

[-]

djfdhigkgfIaruflg@reddit

Found cat killer's Reddit account

[-]

Blackwidow_Perk@reddit

Cars, coyotes, dogs, FIV etc. are all predators to outdoor cats.

I’m sorry about your loss, but please keep your cats indoors and pets safe.

Put sugar in her gas tank and post flyers as someone else said.

[-]

Empol3on@reddit

Not leave it to fucking bleed to death in the road maybe??

[-]

BlottomanTurk@reddit

Screenshot any/all threats online. Sounds like her mom is giving you plenty of ammunition for a civil suit.

Also a perfect reason to play up the "pain and suffering" to maximize payout. I mean, not only are you mourning your cat, but now you have to worry about your life and livelihood due to threats from the Cat Killer's family!

If the cops won't help with a direct action, you can still try to use them to make their lives much more annoying. Effectively, use the local cops for what they apparently are: tools.

Restraining orders, harassment & cyberbullying complaints/charges could be a good place to start. And it will help solidify a foundation for a civil suit.

[-]

brainhack3r@reddit

Also, if you threaten to sue, they usually become more belligerent and make more threats.

[-]

old_mans_ghost@reddit

Get a dog cats suck

[-]

Sugarman111@reddit

As she has made threats against you, meaning going to the cops will be difficult for her, why not just go round at night and smash her windows and car?

[-]

Fanfare4Rabble@reddit

Practically, not sure what you can do after you hit a cat except stand there and feel sad.

[-]

Professional-Cap-495@reddit

Post flyers, maybe make a memorial for your cat outside that everyone can see, put her name in plain text under the memorial with what she said after killing your cat... I am so sorry this happened she deserves worse.

[-]

amaria_athena@reddit

Even better. Hold a memorial. Either at the scene or-even better-in front of her house—on public property of course. You can invite the whole community. Make it a monthly occurrence to bring awareness to the issue of community cats. Any donations goes towards TNR. Heck-this is how non profits start!

OP. Don’t feel bad about the indoor/outdoor cat issue. In rural Italy, I also grew up the same way. I now realize half my cats were actually community cats! And I found out the hard way, when I recently held my humanely-euthanized, elderly, cancer-ridden cat till she passed, that cats do live to old age. RIP Munchkin.

[-]

Bratchan@reddit

Find where they live both of them.. then catnip bomb their yards.. if you know it will rain also beef bouillon their yard.. it will be nice reminder for them to watch for animals...

[-]

DuckRubberDuck@reddit

I’m so sorry. I’m glad you were with him in his last moments, so he died feeling the love of his favorite human

[-]

Struckmanr@reddit

Reading that part broke me, in glad they were together then!!!!

[-]

larsloli@reddit

Car brains are murderous idiots. Call your local city council everyday and complain about reckless car driving.

[-]

ACynicalOptomist@reddit

Join your local Facebook Next Door Group and put pictures and all that and tell them to watch out for their cats and dogs and children and themselves.

[-]

tlacuachetamagotchi@reddit

File a police report and take her to small claims court. Don’t let this vile excuse for a woman get away! I’m so sorry for your loss OP 🤍.

[-]

ctr72ms@reddit

Since you know the time that means you know what time practice is. Id inconvenience her in every way while she tries to get there. Small community prob means small roads so just happen to get in front of her and not be in a rush. Not very unethical but small population means she will know its you if you do anything blatant like remove her valve stems or roundup her yard at night or use industrial adhesive to glue her garbage can to the road. I cant stand people with no empathy to animals.

[-]

meameloriate@reddit

I don’t have any tips but that’s fucked up im so sorry for ur lost - try posting in some other sub reddits is there any legal action u can take here??

[-]

warmhealer@reddit (OP)

It’s a third degree misdemeanor in Virginia, but the local Sherriff’s won’t do a thing about it- they told me ‘cats are like deer’.. yet I still got an incident number despite them not being able to help. They’re being more than confusing. I’m definitely going to swing by the court and see what I can do. Thank you for your kind words

[-]

SuspiciousStress1@reddit

You can file a civil action for sure.

Just because the police wont do anything criminally, doesn't mean you cannot do something civilly(&that is likely why they wrote the report for you-as proof if you chose to go to court)

Good luck, she needs to pay for her actions!!

[-]