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Ontario cop faces demotion for removing cat from drug user’s home

A Notice to Attend form was issued in May to Police Constable Beth Richardson of the Durham Regional Police Service, a region just east of Toronto. Richardson, a 17-year-veteran, faces one charge of discreditable conduct as a result of an incident that occurred in January.

According to the Notice to Attend on Jan. 12, 2016, Richardson was dispatched to back-up other officers an Oshawa, Ontario home. Police were called to check on a woman who was a drug user and who had been binging for a few days. While there, Richardson observed a calico kitten. According to the officer, the kitten was hiding under a table and Richardson believed the kitten was not properly cared for. Without the knowledge or consent of the owner, Richardson, who is an animal lover but allergic to cats, removed the kitten and had it taken to a veterinarian. The vet determined the kitten was in good health.

The basis of the discreditable conduct complaint is Richardson neither informed her supervisor or other officers nor wrote in her notes she had removed the kitten. The kitten’s owner, the boyfriend of the woman police were called to check up on, contacted Durham Regional Police and the kitten was returned.

The owner of the kitten at first wanted Richardson charged with theft but later declined to press charges.

Richardson’s lawyer, Joseph Markson, said this is the most ridiculous case he has seen in 20 years of practise, calling the hearing “wrong-headed and insulting.” He said the cat appeared to be filthy, not properly fed and smelled of smoke. His client had planned to take the kitten to the Humane Society but it was closed so she had a friend take it to a veterinarian. Markson admitted his client could have done better in terms of including what she had done in her notes.

Markson further said officers should not be discouraged from being caring and compassionate.

After the fact Richardson was being disciplined became public, there was swift reaction on social media with people criticizing the Durham Regional Police for taking action against the officer who was trying to protect the kitten. A change.org petition was begun urging the Durham Regional police to not discipline the officer. At the time of this writing. it had more than 770 signatures.

Animal Justice, an animal rights group, wants to intervene in the hearing. A spokeswoman said the situation is “shocking.” People who help animals should be rewarded, not punished.

Two months after Richardson removed the kitten from the home, she was commended after she attended to a man who had slashed his throat and wrists. According to paramedics, had it not been for her quick action the man probably would have died.

Richardson’s discreditable conduct hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Dec. 7. If found guilty, the officer faces a demotion.

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