Slidell teens caught stealing kittens

By Erik Sanzenbach
St. Tammany News
Published on Friday, June 20, 2008 9:23 AM CDT

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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.

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Comments

4 comment(s)

Bec wrote on Jul 4, 2008 9:50 AM:

" These girls aren't too bright. Free kittens everywhere in the classified. Oh well. "

The_Rev wrote on Jun 23, 2008 10:33 AM:

" Kinda makes this one wonder which real crimes went un-noticed as well as the added cost for tracking then arresting these apparent life-time-criminals? "

pat wrote on Jun 21, 2008 8:39 AM:

" We have issues in this town with all the crimes and stuff. I see the girl was wrong but on the other hand she was desperate to get her a new cat. With the cost of adoption being so high people don't adopt much any more. Each year over 1 million pets are put to sleep. I think the price should be lowered on speacial circumstances. Like this girl she should have been able to get a kitten for 25 bucks. Really this is so sad. If the price for some animals would be lowered less would put to sleep. "

patricia wrote on Jun 21, 2008 8:36 AM:

" Now see to me this is just not right. I understand that the shelter needs money for the strays that come in and they take care of the medical and food. On the other hand here they are putting animals to sleep if not adopted quick enough. I think it is wrong of the girls what they did but then the girl is so devistated by her cat missing she mad a bad decission. Give the girl a break. The kitten problably would not have been adopted any way. It is so sad how things are getting here in Slidell. "

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