Sosuke
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Man Steals Cat and Abandons it in neighboring Town
Prominent doctor facing charges for re-locating neighbor's cat
5:00AM Sunday August 19, 2007
By Carolyne Meng-Yee
The man who faces police charges after cat-napping his neighbor's moggie is a prominent Auckland doctor who says he was driven to despair by the cat's raids on his Westmere home.
Peter Parkinson, 66, wrote an anonymous letter to the owners of Max, after catching what he thought was a stray cat in his home, wrapping him in a blanket, and taking him across the harbor bridge, releasing him in Northcote.
Parkinson said he was unaware at the time that Max was a well-loved cat - and said he only realized that later when a flyer from Max's distraught owners appeared in his letterbox. It was then that he wrote the note to the owners, with a map showing where Max was dropped.
However, Max was returned only after a homeowner found him huddling under a house in Northcote.
Parkinson, a self-proclaimed cat lover, said yesterday that he was surprised police were now looking at charging him. He said it was a "ridiculous situation".
"I'm surprised police have spent resources on this... My cat was trashed and bleeding on many occasions."
Max had made frequent visits to the house, attacking his own cat, Chiquita, eating her catfood and defecating in corners of the home. "I had to do something. It had been invading our house for the best part of a year. It mutilated our cat."
He captured Max one night by throwing a blanket over him, and placing him in a box. He said he rang the SPCA's national and local offices, but neither was interested.
His letter to Max's owners, Lisa Morice and her architect husband Chris, outlined how Max had been regularly coming through his cat door and attacking his cat. The letter said Max had been locked in the house and after a two-hour "cat and mouse" chase had been caught and taken on "a vacation overseas".
The letter showed a map of the North Shore and indicated a spot called "Max's Hilton".
Parkinson said he had tried to contact Max's owners through the police since the furore broke, but had not heard anything. He wanted to come to a solution to avoid anyone else encountering a similar situation. He believed cats all should have an identification tag.
Parkinson has an extensive CV, listing a career that includes work as a lecturer in academic medicine in London and general practice in London and New Zealand. He is also a stonemason and established a house for street kids in London. These days he works primarily as a mentor in the medical and corporate fields and runs a private therapeutic practice from home in Westmere.
Max, a green-eyed, 5kg tabby and white long-haired domestic, is meanwhile settling back into feline splendor after his travels.
He came into the lives of 47-year-old Westmere librarian Lisa Morice and husband Chris as a young stray. He's now six years old and is very loose and relaxed with his family, which includes a 21-year-old daughter and twin 17-year-old sons. "Nothing bothered him until this," says Lisa. |
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Yetti
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Here's a picture of the pretty kitty. 
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Tater
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Max is so pretty! I'm happy he's back with his rightful owners! |
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Mikey
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Wow, what a weird story. Another reason mom doesn't believe in 'outside pets' |
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Sosuke
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Agreed. My mom doesn't believe in "outside pets" either. I, secretly want to be an outside cat but I'm only allowed out on a leash. It's not bad, though. |
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Mikey
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Hehe, me too as you can see. Momma doesn't let me out enough, I like to go out but she would never forgive herself if I got hurt. So I only get to go out every once in a while under close supervision. It's better than being road kill or dinner :) |
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Posted on 19 Aug, 2007 | Report
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Sosuke
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Very true. It's better to be safe. There's lots of foxes that prowl the neighborhood, too. I saw one once and it was very scary. I'm glad your momma keeps you safe! |
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Posted on 19 Aug, 2007 | Report
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Trixie
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This is why I do not like pet doors that don't use a rfid tag to open. |
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Snarff
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I don't go outside, and I don't want to. I have everything I need indoors! Food, fresh water, kitties and a doggie to play with...not to mention a mommy and daddy who love me so much! I get lots of toys and catnip, and a cozy lap to curl up in whenever I want! |
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Yetti
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That's how I feel, too. The only thing that gets me are the moths but they fly in sometimes and I get them then(Yum!). I'm glad that you are sage inside. |
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Akemi
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I never go outside and neither does my sister Lily mommie says it's not safe purrrr |
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Yetti
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Same goes for you and Lily, I'm glad that you're safe inside. |
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Baby
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although sometimes I feel bad...i would never want my cats outside. i would die if something happened.I am so happy Max is back home. Baby was a stray & if she ever got away I would die. I tried opening the door to see if she would want to go out...she ran the other way into my bedroom & jumped on my bed...lol...shes home & she knows it! Love you all! |
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Sosuke
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That's great! Mom is so happy to see that a lot of people on here keep their kitties safe indoors. |
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George
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Boy if someone tried to throw a blanket on me I'd scrach them....I couldn't imagine being away from my mommy!!! |
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Reilly
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I'm sure glad my brothers and I stay in side...there's too many weirdo's out there! |
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