Arsnik's blog: "Just Crap"

ROSS TWP. – Three kittens with ear, neck and tail piercings were removed from a home by humane officers on Wednesday. Wayne Harvey, SPCA kennel attendant, holds a kitten that was taken from a home in Ross Township on Wednesday. Don Carey/The Times Leader One of the officers from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals of Luzerne County said the pierced kittens were being sold as “gothic kittens” on an Internet auction site. “This is a first,” said Officer Carol Morrison. “It’s unbelievable anybody would do this to kittens.” Morrison said the investigation began about a week ago when a man from another state noticed “gothic kittens” being sold on eBay. The kittens were also being sold on a pet classified Web site with an attached picture of a pierced kitten. “You’re not allowed to sell live animals on eBay,” Morrison said. The man called the phone number that was listed with the kittens, and traveled to the home at 71 Dobson Road, where he saw the pierced kittens, Morrison said. “He called us and explained what he saw,” Morrison said. Morrison and two humane officers obtained a search warrant for the home from District Judge John Hasay in Shickshinny at about 3:30 p.m. Assisted by the state police at Shickshinny, the humane officers traveled to the home located at the end of a long driveway in a remote area of Ross Township. Humane officers and troopers were inside the home for more than an hour before removing three kittens and a cat just before 5:30 p.m. “She (the homeowner) thought it was a great idea (to pierce kittens),” Morrison said. Morrison said charges are likely to be filed against the homeowner. A dog inside the home was also found with pierced ears, Morrison said. Morrison said the homeowner has a pet grooming business in the basement of the residence. Several signs advertising “Pawside Parlor” were along Dobson Road and in front of the home. The kittens also had submission rings placed in their tails, Morrison said, explaining that the rings would prevent blood flow, causing the tails to fall off. The homeowner and a young girl were inside the home. After humane officers removed the kittens in cages, the window shades were closed and interior lights were turned off. Morrison said the kittens will be checked by a veterinarian before deciding if the kittens will be placed for adoption.