dogs on bike trail

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Feral cat case dropped against Vandercook Lake woman under plan to trap and remove cats from neighborhood
Published: Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 4:45 PM Updated: Wednesday, November 16, 2011, 4:50 PM
Brad Flory | Jackson Citizen Patriot By Brad Flory | Jackson Citizen Patriot
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Criminal prosecution was dropped Wednesday against a Vandercook Lake woman who fed a neighborhood colony of feral cats.

Under a settlement deal announced in court, the cats will be trapped and removed by volunteers and the case against Danni Joshua is dismissed.

“It’s going to be in the best interests of everyone, including the cats,” said attorney Eric White, who represented Summit Township in its prosecution of Joshua.

“I couldn’t be happier,” said Joshua.

Joshua, 53, began feeding abandoned or wild cats outside her home because she considers it inhumane to let the cats go hungry.

Over time, a colony of 15 to 20 feral cats built up, and Joshua acknowledged they were “all over the neighborhood” on Helena Ave.

Summit Township held Joshua responsible for the cat colony and charged her with the misdemeanor crime of allowing animals to run loose.

Prosecution hinged on the novel argument that Joshua owns the feral cats — and thus is required to keep them from running loose — because she has “care and custody.”

The settlement deal was reached two days before the case was scheduled for trial in Jackson County District Court.

Two women experienced in handling feral cats volunteered to remove the colony, lawyers said. The women asked the court to remain anonymous.

Cats near Joshua’s home will be trapped and evaluated. Depending on their condition, they may be euthanized. Some may be sterilized, given rabies shots and relocated. Joshua said some can be handled by humans and perhaps can be adopted.

“I am very pleased with everyone’s efforts to resolve a problem,” said District Judge R. Darryl Mazur.

After her case received publicity, many people volunteered to help Joshua. Attorney Randy Eicher, a self-described cat lover, took her case for free.

“I really want to thank all the people who came forward and offered to help,” Joshua said.

[Antaresia]

whoa, that's cool.

But check out the dog they pass at the end of the video, at 9:14. It's SO FAT I don't even know how it's still walking.