November 15, 2007

TEXAS – Ornithologist Kim Stevenson says he was trying to protect endangered birds when he shot and killed a feral cat last year.

But prosecutors say Stevenson made no attempt to alert authorities that the animal was endangering rare birds.

The cat he killed was living under the San Luis Pass toll bridge near Galveston Texas. It was part of a feral cat colony living there - a fact Stevenson says he wasn't aware of before he shot it.

Had he done more research, he would have known that the cats indeed have a caretaker - someone who cares for and protects them - much in the same way the ornithologist was protecting birds.

Stevenson became involved in a car chase with bridge worker John Newland, who chased him down after seeing the feline get shot.

Newland feeds and cares for the colony, and considers the cats his own.

The chase ended in a collision – at which point Stevenson was arrested and later released on $10,000 bail. If found guilty, he could face a $10,000 fine and up to two years in jail.

But the 54 year-old founder of the Galveston Ornithological Society says he never would have hurt the cat had he known someone was caring for it. He didn't know the colony was domesticated.

Tell us what you think under this story. Post your favorite pet videos at the zootooTV tab. Email us your ornistory ideas at news@zootoo.com or call us at 877-777-4204.