Case Report

On March 13, 2002 Mr. Pehl was caught removing a drowned cat from a live box trap in his driveway to his home.  Mr. Pehl stated to the officers that he did drown the cat after trapping it.  He explained this was his was of "saving tax payers money", since the shelter would just kill the animals anyway.  Mr. Pehl was cited and released on the scene due to his age and medical condition (he was 79 years old and using a walker). 

According to Mr. Pehls' statements, he would trap the animals in his humane box trap.  Then place the trap in a trash can in his front yard, fill the can with water, cover it when filled.  Mr. Pehl would then return to the trash can later in the day, remove the dead animal and throw it in the garbage for disposal. 

In the top of the humane box trap Mr. Pehl had listed the dates and type of animals he had either caught and drowned or just caught.  Authorities were never able to get a clear statement on this from him. 

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