November 27, 2007

OREGON – A Portland, Oregon cat is in the middle of a custody battle between its original owner and a couple who paid for the cat's veterinary treatment.

Donnella Whitacre's four year-old cat, Merlin, likes to wander outside. So when a neighboring couple became friendly with the cat, Whitacre agreed to let them see him.

But Whitacre says the couple stole the cat in July – and the white Siamese has been living with them ever since. The couple's lawyer says his clients have spent hundreds on Merlin's vet bills – and even put a lien on the animal. Whitacre says she's not yet seen a receipt for those bills.

Local authorities allegedly told Whitacre to forget about Merlin – that she won't be getting him back. But Whitacre says that's something she can't do – she's been an animal lover her entire life, and Merlin is like a member of the family.

So now she's filed a lawsuit. A hearing is scheduled for November 30th – we'll report back when we get the details.

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