He said Miss Edwards had provided her cats with food, water, protection from the elements, adequate sanitation, and affection, adding that they had been spayed or neutered and had received their immunizations.
“Despite the state’s avowed concerns regarding Miss Edwards‘ ability to operate her vehicle amid her 15 cats, the state did not cite her with a traffic violation,” he wrote. “The claims of ‘exigent circumstances’ and inhumane treatment are a pretext. If safe operation of the vehicle was the concern, the police should have addressed that issue and not exposed the taxpayers to the cost of caring for animals wrongfully seized from Miss Edwards.”
Justice Severson also said state laws dictating no more than three people ride in the front seat of a car lest they interfere with the driver’s view or control did not apply to cats.
“Miss Edwards‘ cats should be returned to her care,” he wrote.
© Copyright 2013 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.
Matthew Cella is The Washington Times’ Metro editor. He can be reached at mcella@washingtontimes.com.
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