Yes she had a collar- I introduced the maintance guy to her a couple of weeks ago. He knew who she is. Her only  "crime"  was that she was outside. As you might be able to tell I was quite angry when I wrote this. Legal rights? As of 1978 or so cats are considered property under California law. A cat wearing a collar is assumed not too be stray. She does her business inside in a catbox and even when outside is very quiet. There is no way she was being a nuisance. MaintanceDude was off duty and therefore could not be acting under "color of authority".

It might be a stretch to call it property theft but then again maybe not.  

Did I mention she just had kittens? He may have thought that if  the cat were seperated from the kittens long enough they would die of starvation. If that is the case maybe I could get P.E.T.A.  involved. Naw I'm a meat eater - they don't go for that and I think they have some bigger fish to fry.

For now all I can do is see where he sets these traps and make sure Kat doesn't spring them.

 I looked at the English term fair contract the other day under that any contract where one party sets up the terms and another is forced to agree to it peacemeal in order to to do business the terms that were not actually agreed to can be held to be invalid. I'm gonna try to find something like that in California  or U.S. Federal law just in case. I know that there are legal provisions for ownership keeping of animals in apartments that override any rental agreements if it comes to that

 I talked to the new manager about the cat  several weeks ago and she approved the cat. (she has to it's the law). but when I phoned her to find out which S.P.C.A. her minion had taken the cat to I became aware from what she said that she was behind it all. two faced? Plutakian like

i'll say. It seems odd to me that I'd go to this much trouble over a cat. $50.00 to save Kat, a friend taking off an hour and a half to go over to the west side to get her I owe him at least $40.00. and the collar and  stuff at least another $10.00 . . . aw well there's my beer money for a day or two.     

   I'm considering action - not to recover money so much but to insure this never happens again.  
I can tell you I almost blew it this time if it happens again I'll more than likely be signing my posts something like this........  

this is Malcolm Abdul Bikermouse . . .

(I really need to calm down about this - I've always had a temper but I suprised even myself this time)

• TJ