Cat-Napping Clash in Wheelersburg Sparks Late-Night Deputy Response

A Wheelersburg man called deputies at 3:40 a.m. with an alarming claim — he said his neighbor was trapping his cats and that he had just found one of his pets locked inside a cage. He told dispatchers that five of his cats were missing and he wanted to speak with a deputy immediately. When officers arrived, the man said he’d already freed the trapped cat and believed the neighbor was intentionally snaring his pets. Deputies attempted to make contact with the accused neighbor multiple times, knocking at the door and trying to reach him, but received no response. Since they couldn’t speak with the other party, deputies took information for an official report and advised the caller about next steps. Keeping the Peace: Your Responsibility as a Pet Owner Situations like this are becoming more common, and deputies stressed an important point: You are responsible for keeping your animals on your own property. Loose pets increase the risk of: Being trapped or injured Becoming lost or stolen Getting into neighbor disputes Being struck by vehicles Being picked up by animal control Even if your cats “always roam,” legally, neighbors are within their rights to protect their property from nuisance animals, as long as they do not injure or abuse them. Tips to Keep Pets Safe and at Home: ✔ Keep cats indoors or build an enclosed outdoor “catio” ✔ Microchip your animals ✔ Use collars with ID tags ✔ Spay/neuter — reduces roaming ✔ Install inexpensive GPS tags if you have escape artists ✔ Talk to neighbors BEFORE a conflict escalates What To Do If You Suspect Someone Is Trapping Your Pets If you find a trap or suspect someone is capturing your animals: Document everything Take photos of the trap, location, and condition of your pet. Don’t tamper with someone else’s equipment You may release your pet, but don’t damage or remove a trap — that can become a criminal issue. Call law enforcement or animal control Report the situation calmly and factually. Secure your pets immediately Bring them indoors until the matter is resolved. Try polite communication Many disputes start with simple misunderstandings. A Reminder for Everyone Deputies once again found themselves mediating a neighborhood feud that could have easily been avoided with better communication — and better pet supervision. If your animals roam, you’re putting them and your neighbors in a difficult spot. If you’re frustrated by someone else’s animals, call authorities rather than escalating the situation yourself. Because when it comes to cats, neighbors, and late-night emergency calls… nobody wins — especially the cats.

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