
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 5, 1995                   TAG: 9501050078
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: TAVARES, FLA.                                 LENGTH: Short

VA. CATNAPPER PUTS FLA. BOY IN DANGER

A frightened 12-year-old boy faces a 28-day series of rabies shots unless a woman in Virginia quarantines a kitten officials say she illegally took from an animal shelter last week.

The unidentified woman, who called the shelter anonymously Monday, said the cat was fine. But officials consider the risk of the potentially fatal disease too great and cannot go on her word.

Animal control officers took the stray 6-week-old Himalayan-mix kitten to the Lake County shelter for observation after it bit the boy, fearing it could have the disease.

It was placed in a quarantine cage; but, while workers were busy elsewhere, a woman took the kitten Friday, officials said.

Their only clues are that the woman, who was accompanied by a teen-age girl and said she was visiting in nearby Lady Lake, was driving a car with Virginia tags.

``This is pretty poor. This lady is holding everyone hostage with a little boy as the shield,'' said sheriff's Lt. Chris Daniels.

Officials want the catnapper's veterinarian to complete the quarantine, report to the Lake County Health Department and take the proper precautions. If that is done, no charges will be filed.

by CNB