Cat sitter arrested for animal cruelty
Washington , DC (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, Nov 3, 2010
County: District of Columbia

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Gail Stewart

A 40-year-old DC woman was arrested yesterday on animal cruelty charges for allegedly failing to provide medical care for a cat she was watching for an acquaintance.

The woman, Gail Stewart of 77 L Street NW, cared for the cat, named Beau, between October 16 and November 3 of last year. On November 3, Stewart surrendered Beau to the Washington Humane Society. He was emaciated, dehydrated, and had a respiratory infection so severe he could barely breathe, WHS reported. Beau was euthanized after WHS staff determined his medical condition could not be reversed.

"Beau's medical condition was apparently ignored by his caregiver. And that alleged neglect led Beau to simply waste away. By the time he was brought to WHS it was too late. We hope to get justice in this case," said WHS vice president of external affairs and chief programs officer Scott Giacoppo.

Stewart told investigators that two of her own cats died while she was caring for Beau, but she disposed of the bodies before they could be examined.

References

• examiner.com - Jan 20, 2011
• washhumane.org - Jan 19, 2011

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