LINCOLN WOMAN CITED FOR
POSTING SIGNS ABOUT CAT
City ordinance: illegal to post signs on utility poles

By Jon Mayhew

LINCOLNTON -- It's certainly not the "Stray Cat Strut."

A Lincolnton woman is given a criminal summons after she admits to Lincolnton Police she posted flyers regarding her missing cat and a neighbor who has a homemade cat trap in the front yard of the neighbor's residence.

Lt. Randy Willis responded to 913 S. Aspen Street Saturday afternoon, where the resident said he was having a problem with stray cats in his yard.

The unidentified resident said he had captured the neighbor's cat in a homemade trap. The neighbors -- Angela Johnson and Diana Rosenbaum -- went on the victim's property and retrieved their pet from the trap.

Later, the two women returned to discuss the matter and that's when an argument ensued between the three parties.

While responding to the disturbance call, Willis noticed the posters on city utility poles throughout the neighborhood. The signs alerted residents to a cat that was caught in a trap.

Willis initially advised the parties about Animal Control and about posting signs on utility poles, which is against a City of Lincolnton ordinance.

Willis asked the signs be removed.

On Sunday, while on routine patrol, Willis noticed the signs were still up on S. Aspen Street.

Willis talked to Rosenbaum and Johnson about removing the signs. He was told by Johnson that she "would remove the signs later."

Johnson's court date is January 21, 2009, in Lincolnton District Court.