VIOLENT CAT TRAPPER, CONNECTED TO NUMEROUS CAT ABDUCTIONS, ARRESTED FOR ASSAULTING CAT COLONY CARETAKER
Washington Heights, NY: Doris Giordano, a violent cat trapper known to work for The Animal Project, which sells cats at Petco, was arrested over the Thanksgiving holiday for assaulting a feral cat colony caretaker during the abduction of a registered colony cat in late August. The assault took place on August 27, 2017, in the parking lot on 165th street between Broadway and St. Nicholas avenue around 6:30pm. The colony caretaker, Maritza Rivera, spotted Giordano as she was trapping, Petit, her (Calico) registered colony cat. Ms. Rivera informed the perpetrator that the cat was a member of a registered colony and, therefore, could not be removed without express permission. Giordano proceeded to abduct the cat. When the cat was trapped, Ms. Rivera placed her hand on the trap to stop the abduction and notify the police. It was at that moment that Giordano attacked Ms. Rivera and violently punched her hands repeatedly. Giordano wrestled the cage (with the cat inside) from Ms. Rivera. Once in possession of the cat, she mounted and fastened the trap onto her dolly and walked away saying she had, “a deadline to meet”. The assault left nail marks and significant swelling on Ms. Rivera’s hands. An ambulance was called on the scene, but the victim ultimately had to go to the emergency room where her injuries were diagnosed as musculoskeletal in nature. After checking with sources and ascertaining the extent of Ms. Rivera’s injuries, the police arrested Giordano over the Thanksgiving holidays. Doris Giordano and Carol Moon, director of The Animal Project, are linked to the unauthorized seizure of multiple cats on 165th street, including the high profile theft of Sophie the Black Cat off of private property back in March. Sophie’s theft had neighbors in outrage and a petition (https://www.ipetitions.com/petition/free-sophie-the-black-cat) was created for her safe return, in addition to a Facebook page named Free Sophie the Black Cat. During the confrontation with Giordano, Ms. Rivera asked, “Where is Sophie?” to which Doris replied, “I’m not telling you either.” Doris Giordano’s arrest is a victory for community cats and for their caretakers.
About Sophie’s Rescue Mission: Sophie’s Rescue Mission, https://165rescue.wordpress.com/, is a volunteer effort that reaches out to feral cats in need. It’s primary goal is to improve the welfare of cats living on the streets by providing them with food, shelter, and Trap-Neuter-Return services.
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SOPHIE'S RESCUE MISSION 