A Sharon psychiatrist facing criminal charges for allegedly strangling a cat and biting its breeder, asked the court Thursday to grant her a special probation.
Sixty-year-old Joan Schmugler hopes a Bantam Superior Court judge will approve her application for accelerated rehabilitation, at her next court date on Nov. 12.
"Accelerated rehabilitation is a pre-trial diversionary program and if she successfully completes the probationary period without any arrests, it would result in a dismissal of the charges from her criminal record," said Assistant State�s Attorney Jonathan Knight.
The alleged victims, Brookfield residents Sig and Sharyn Hauck, will also be allowed to voice their opinions at the hearing.
Trooper Paul Makuc arrested Schmugler on Aug. 17 charging her with assault in the third degree, disorderly conduct and cruelty to animals. The victims told police Schmugler tried to take a black kitten from the Hauck�s car, biting Hauck in the arm and injuring the kitten in the process, police said.
Hauck received a tetanus shot and treatment at Sharon Hospital for what she called a nasty bite and a scratch near her eye.
Police said Schmugler purchased the kitten from the Haucks, but later decided she didn�t want the animal because it urinated on her bed, and returned it to the breeders. After a disagreement about refunding her money Schmugler attempted to take the animal back, the victims said.
Hauck said she revived the Bombay breed kitten named Moses Fleetwood Walker with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
It was then treated by a veterinarian.
For a few days Moses was restricted to eating only baby food because the doctor felt its voice box was injured, reported Sig Hauck.
The cat is living with a new family and appearing in cat shows, Sharyn Hauck said.
The Haucks, owners of Caricature Cattery which they operate from their home, bred Cat Fancier Association�s 2004 Cat of the Year, Colin Powell.
The Bombay was the first of its breed to ever be named a Cat of the Year, and was introduced to Secretary of State Colin Powell after it won its award. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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