Brief: Court Rules for Jimmie the Cat

A Washington County judge on March 22 found that the before the required waiting period and awarded the estate of the animal’s former owner $150.

Late Woodbury resident Mary Ray owned Jimmie(*) and left the cat, along with her estate, to Animal Ark, a Hastings-based no-kill animal shelter. Jimmie was euthanized in December 2011 after officials at the Humane Society spoke with Ray’s estranged daughter.

But Animal Ark argued that Humane Society officials didn’t hold the cat as long as they were required to, and a judge agreed.

“While the court finds that the and Humane Society both acted reasonably and in good faith, given the unique facts of this case, the impound notice was not provided to the owners,” reads a court document.

The estate was awarded $75, the value of the cat, and another $75 for filing fees.

Still, asked if the ruling satisfied him, Animal Ark Executive Director Mike Fry said, “It does and it doesn’t.”

“The real issue for us has never been the money,” he said.

Instead, Fry said he hoped the case would open the door for the city to re-evaluate how it handles stray pets and provide more oversight of the Humane Society.

Woodbury City Council members have declined comment on the matter.

• Humane Society Kills Woodbury Cat Against Dead Owner's Wishes
• Protest Planned At Woodbury City Hall Over Dead Cat
• Residents Speak Out For Dead Woodbury Cat
• Animal Ark Director: Timeframe For Jimmy The Cat’s Death Misrepresented
• Jimmy The Cat Backers Renew Concern Over Woodbury Animal-Impound Policy

*Previous stories have referred to the cat as “Jimmy.” It was a female cat whose name is now being spelled “Jimmie.”

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