Slog - Comments on The Return of the Ballard Cat Mystery http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery With the help of Ballard residents and victims Matt and Sybil, I am not only restoring the previous information about the Ballard Cat Mystery, but also enhancing it with new details. From Matt: Here is a rundown of the case you are interested. Our family cat, Benjamin, went missing on Saturday, July 26. He is an old guy who Sybil has had for 15 years. He goes outside every couple days but doesn't go far, so we regrettably did not have a collar or microchip on him. He did not come home that night, which never happens. We searched... Copyright 2008 Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:52:57 -0800 Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:25:49 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Banna No collar, no tags, tough shit for you.

]]> Banna http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092821 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092821 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:47:11 -0800 Comment by MEC creepy.

]]> MEC http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092826 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092826 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:52:50 -0800 Comment by PC Sorry for your loss.

This note could be mere passivity/politeness/standoffishness -- typical -- no need to infer something sinister.

(The "Boo Radley" theory.)


]]> PC http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092827 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092827 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:52:56 -0800 Comment by bluh? This retard is wasting the police department's time investigating the disappearance of a 15 year old cat?

What do they want the body back for...?

]]> bluh? http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092830 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092830 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:54:23 -0800 Comment by cunei4m Just a heads-up in advance..."cat burglar jokes" are in poor taste...carry on. (Am truly sorry for your loss...just got a new kitten for my birthday)

]]> cunei4m http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092833 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092833 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:55:35 -0800 Comment by blank12357 I find it more suspicious that stolenkitty@gmail.com was available.

]]> blank12357 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092835 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092835 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:56:09 -0800 Comment by el ganador I don't want to sound mean, as I'm a felinophile, but you let your cat roam around without a collar or a chip...and when he ate some rat poison or a toad, or any one of the number of things I can think of that cats I've loved have gotten into....some nice folks take care of him on his deathbed and all you can think is that some jerks stole him?

You people are idiots. You obviously don't understand that outdoor cats, and semioutdoor cats have significantly shorter lifespans. There is a ton of shit out there that a cat can eat that will kill it. And these nice sounding people take care of your cat and let you know that and you're acting like *they* are the bastards? Sheesh. Benjamin is better off where he is - kitty heaven, or caring people....

]]> el ganador http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092836 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092836 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:56:43 -0800 Comment by cunei4m Warning in advance:

Cat burglar jokes are in poor taste...

Carry on.

(Truly sorry for your loss as someone who's just received a kitten for his birthday)

]]> cunei4m http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092840 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092840 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 15:58:51 -0800 Comment by blank12357 Jeez, El Ganador. Meeee-ow!

]]> blank12357 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092843 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092843 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:01:04 -0800 Comment by Big Sven Hate to say it, but Matt & Sybil sound unreasonable. Old cat, and the people who left the note sound entirely reasonable and compassionate. Look beyond your grief and you will see they almost certainly did the best they could.

]]> Big Sven http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092844 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092844 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:01:15 -0800 Comment by Frentic I agree with @3. Condolences nonetheless.

]]> Frentic http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092845 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092845 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:01:36 -0800 Comment by meggers Seems likely that they had him put down and have concerns about retaliation (litigious or otherwise). Based on the owners' reaction, they may have a point. I can't see how the situation could be improved by pursuing it any further. Grieve, and let go.

]]> meggers http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092847 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092847 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:03:11 -0800 Comment by citrus that new notice on the telephone pole is wayyyy creepier than the note that was left there. "we want his body back no questions asked?" it doesn't even mention that it's talking about a CAT.

]]> citrus http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092848 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092848 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:03:12 -0800 Comment by meggers @10 and @13 - agreed. If I were the person who posted the original note (in an attempt to give the owners piece of mind) I would feel totally justified in maintaining my anonymity now.

]]> meggers http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092851 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092851 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:06:06 -0800 Comment by Felix Did your cat have a birthmark on it's rear right flank? Because I had what I thought was a chicken leg the other day from Golden City that did.

]]> Felix http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092853 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092853 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:06:57 -0800 Comment by Cat lover What a couple of self-absorbed losers! Letting your cat out in an urban environment is cruel/stupid enough, but to expect the police to give a shit when (surprise, surprise) your cat turns up dead. We should all hope that these idiots don't ever get another pet.

]]> Cat lover http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092854 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092854 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:07:10 -0800 Comment by tomasyalba Ah, the new Ballard.

]]> tomasyalba http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092860 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092860 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:11:03 -0800 Comment by brandon there is absolutely nothing creepy about that note. perhaps they waited 8 days to contact you because they didn't know who the non-microchipped [!], non-collared [!!] outdoor [!!!] cat belonged to until you hand-delivered them a notice?

]]> brandon http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092866 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092866 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:15:30 -0800 Comment by Cat lover ? "We should all hope that these idiots don't ever get another pet."

Why are you so angry? Did your mom not hug you enough?

]]> Cat lover ? http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092867 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092867 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:15:55 -0800 Comment by Hiss! And if you cared so much for Benjamin, why did you let him go outside w/o tags or a chip? 15 years old? Man, that kitty needed to be inside and stay nice 'n' cool during his golden years. Yeah, I'm just creeped out by your note - not what these nice anonymous people did to you (always the victim, eh?)

]]> Hiss! http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092871 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092871 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:19:56 -0800 Comment by michael strangeways why is that creepy? They found a stray, sick cat and took care of it. It's likely they were too poor to take it to the vet so they coped the best they could. They're probably embarassed about all the attention but were kind enough to leave a note so you would know the fate of the cat. Now, you're making them out to be some sort of sick criminals.

As to not seeing the signs for 8 days, big deal. There are signs on poles all the time and I don't take time to read each and every one. Maybe, they're older people who don't walk around much. Maybe your signs sucked. Who knows?

Sorry for your loss, but quit making a mountain out of a mole hill and leave these people alone and tend to your grief.

]]> michael strangeways http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092872 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092872 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:20:16 -0800 Comment by elenchos Maybe this is a good time to reiterate that the Slog could do a lot of good if it devoted one tenth the effort spent on a non-starter pit bull ban to instead encouraging spaying, neutering, licensing and microchipping of all cats and dogs.

Things that are doable, enforcable, and that will benefit pets, their owners, and non-pet owners alike.

]]> elenchos http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092879 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092879 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:25:41 -0800 Comment by girlgerms i like it when people in the city let their cats outside. i pet them when i'm walking around to get my kitty fix since i can't have cats. thanks outdoor kitty owners!

]]> girlgerms http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092883 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092883 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:27:22 -0800 Comment by leek The note is odd, and I would want to talk to the people and hear the story of what actually happened to my pet. I think I would have tried to do that in a less all-caps, demanding way, but to each their own. And if the people cared enough to write a note, why wouldn't they be willing to actually talk to the owners and allow them more closure?

It's unfortunate (obv, for the cat as well) that the owners didn't identify their outdoor cat in any way, as that's made them much less sympathetic. Still... people make mistakes, still have feelings, news at 11.


]]> leek http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092888 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092888 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:31:30 -0800 Comment by Will in Seattle @1 very very very sadly for the win.

Sadly.

License your pets. I have two cats that live on my block that visit my sunny front garden but have no license tags.

If they got run over, or injured, nobody would know what happened to them. Which is just plain sad.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092890 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092890 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:32:37 -0800 Comment by Coyote Patrol Oops.

Sorry.

We were hungry.

]]> Coyote Patrol http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092894 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092894 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:34:23 -0800 Comment by John Not seeing a sign for a week is not "creepy." Maybe they don't get out much. Maybe they usually drive & don't notice signs. Maybe they just weren't paying attention.

If they took the cat to a vet and the cat was euthanized over a week ago, there is no body to return. If you don't ask for something like cremation (and why would they pay for that for a cat they don't even know?) the body is, well, disposed of.

]]> John http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092897 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092897 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:38:49 -0800 Comment by max solomon as the owner of a crazed free-range abyssinian: tags & chips. i know full well he could get raccooned or coyoted or asshole drivered, but the candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long.

lazy lazy lazy.

]]> max solomon http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092898 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092898 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:40:58 -0800 Comment by monkey Anyone who would hurt a cat wouldn't go through the trouble of leaving you a not AT ALL unless it was to say, "hey, we tortured your old cat to death and it was fun."

If something happened to my cat (who I might as well have given birth too) I would be relieved to receive a note like that. I would cry like a hungry angry baby but at least I'd feel some peace that he was cared for.

Be greatful that someone was compassionate enough to care for your dying let alone leave you a note.

]]> monkey http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092902 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092902 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:43:10 -0800 Comment by Jessica @29 FTW. My beloved indoor kitty still has a collar and a microchip, despite my goal of never allowing her tiny dumb ass to roam freely as she wishes. If you're going to let your cat out freely, you're running the risk of your cat dying from something you can't control-- oh, wait, you CAN control it-- you can keep puss inside or microchip and tag.

]]> Jessica http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092911 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092911 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:48:28 -0800 Comment by jackie treehorn @6 AGREED

]]> jackie treehorn http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092925 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092925 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:56:27 -0800 Comment by Ben My apologies to elenchos, it appears there's more of a story here than I had assumed.

]]> Ben http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092930 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092930 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 16:58:03 -0800 Comment by Explorer Only in Seattle would someone receive a thoughtful and considerate note like that and then call the cops.

]]> Explorer http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092944 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092944 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:03:35 -0800 Comment by brent I guess you don't have to be an old lady to be a crazy cat owner after all!

]]> brent http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092949 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092949 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:15:56 -0800 Comment by elenchos @32

Thank goodness. Because if the police were out to bust people for merely being an asshole in Ballard, I'd have to go on the lam.

]]> elenchos http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092959 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092959 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:21:27 -0800 Comment by Bubbles Our empathy requires the proper paperwork.

]]> Bubbles http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092963 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092963 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:22:39 -0800 Comment by gwrak I love slog for posting stuff like this.

]]> gwrak http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092981 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092981 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:35:37 -0800 Comment by lol Has anyone checked in to whether Dave Reichert killed the cat? Or at least whether he emphasized with the killer?

]]> lol http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092990 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092990 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:45:40 -0800 Comment by tele I would agree that Dave Reichert is somehow connected to this.

]]> tele http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092994 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092994 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:51:01 -0800 Comment by ru shur Holy shit, I'm sure I saw him Saturday night at that Irish pub in Ballard.

You don't think he had anything to do with it, do you?

Where does Darcy Burner stand on the killing of cats?

]]> ru shur http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092995 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092995 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:52:17 -0800 Comment by Crispy @23 Me too!

@28 Abyssinians FTW!

]]> Crispy http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092998 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1092998 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:56:25 -0800 Comment by lol Aren't you required to torture small animals or at least small children as part of handing over your soul to work at Microsoft?

I know it's definitely required at the Sherriff's Department but I wouldn't make any assumptions as far as Burner is concerned.

]]> lol http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1093001 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1093001 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 17:59:00 -0800 Comment by Eric No collar, no tag, WTF?

What kind of cat owner are you? You're upset that nobody filled you in, when you never bothered to, you know, TAG YOUR CAT?

I love cats, and people like you shouldn't own them.

Tough shit! Boo fucking hoo!

]]> Eric http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1093007 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1093007 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:07:52 -0800 Comment by Eric Also: These people had the decency to at least let you know what happened (though in kind of a weird way), and your response is to call the cops?

Fucking ballard.

]]> Eric http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1093010 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1093010 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:10:29 -0800 Comment by Posting in stupid thread! !!!!

]]> Posting in stupid thread! http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1093016 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1093016 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:23:22 -0800 Comment by Jubilation T. Cornball @33, ditto.

]]> Jubilation T. Cornball http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1093019 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1093019 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 18:28:24 -0800 Comment by joey yeah, i'm with garland - not creepy. and yea for the peopel who cared for it.

]]> joey http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1093035 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1093035 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 19:11:06 -0800 Comment by Ryan This story has the makings of the worst Garfield strip ever.

]]> Ryan http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1093054 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/08/the_return_of_the_ballard_cat_mystery#c1093054 City Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:25:49 -0800