Slidell teens caught stealing kittens

It was a case of catnapping, pure and simple.

Monday morning, two Slidell teens were arrested for allegedly stealing two kittens from the Slidell Animal Control office on Terrace Avenue.

Slidell police spokesman Capt. Kevin Foltz said Peggy Ward, 19, 142 Fountain Drive, and a 16-year-old girl were arrested and charged with theft under $300. Ward was also charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Ward explained her actions to police after her arrest, saying she had lost her cat several days before and wanted to replace it but did not have the money to get a cat. Officials at the Slidell Animal Shelter said it costs $75 to adopt a kitten and $80 to adopt a dog.

Monday morning Ward and her friend went to the Animal Control Office and asked to look at kittens. Ward told the Animal Control officials she had lost her cat and placed numerous flyers all over her neighborhood, but with no success. Ward was shown several kittens up for adoption.

The Animal Control employee then went back to her desk to help another customer. Allegedly, Ward and her friend opened up a cage, took two kittens and ran out of the office. Another shelter employee saw the girls carrying the kittens and called for Animal Control Officer David Bergmark to stop them.

The girls got into a maroon SUV before Bergmark could catch them, and they fled toward Old Spanish Trail.

Police officers were given the description of the car and were told the girls may be headed back to Ward’s home on Fountain Drive.

Officers found a flyer for Ward’s missing cat on a utility pole and went to the address on the flyer. Just as they got to Ward’s house, the maroon SUV pulled into the driveway. Both girls got out of the car carrying a kitten. The kittens were identified as the stolen felines because Slidell Animal Control had implanted microchips to make finding them easier.

The kittens were returned safely to Slidell Animal Control.

The 16-year-old was turned over to her parents after she was booked. Ward was released from jail after paying a $1,750 surety bond.

For more information on legally adopting a pet, call Slidell Animal Control at 646-4267.