Paw and Order: Kitten helps bust vet scam



Meet Fred, undercover kitten.
Authorities on Wednesday introduced the 8-month-old former stray cat that posed as a would-be patient while police investigated a college student accused of treating pets without a license.

At a news conference, Fred sported a tiny badge on his collar as he posed for photos with owner Carol Moran, a prosecutor.

''He's pretty easygoing, a real Brooklyn guy,'' Moran said.

Fred shared the spotlight with Burt the Boston terrier, an alleged victim of Steven Vassall, 28, who was arrested last week and released on $2,500 bail.

Burt's owner, Raymond Reid, contacted authorities after the dog survived a botched operation. In hindsight, he said, he should have been suspicious of a veterinarian who only made house calls and treated animals at an undisclosed location.

Vassall ''seemed like a genuinely nice guy,'' Reid said. ''I'm glad they caught him, but at the same time I feel sorry for him.''

Last week, an investigator posing as Fred's owner summoned Vassall to an apartment rigged with a hidden camera. Authorities played a videotape at the news conference showing the defendant saying the kitten could be neutered for $135.

Vassall was arrested as he left the apartment carrying Fred in a box and cash for the operation. Investigators later recovered a price list for vaccinations and other procedures, including surgeries.

It was unclear how long Vassall _ a college student who once worked as a laboratory assistant in a vet's office _ allegedly scammed pet owners before Fred helped put him out of business.

Joyce Clemmons of the nonprofit Animal Care and Control, which rescued Fred, predicted the kitten had a future in law enforcement.

''He's going to be the detective for the animal world,'' she said.

I'm just happy it's FRIDAY!! 

Like the hatchlings, Molly.  Ultimo - hmmmmmmmmm, don't know what to say.........

 My happy news:  My daughter's Winter Guard competition group (who placed first in their division last week and got bumped up) just found out that they are already ranked 15th in a group of 32!!  I'm so proud!!  (If interested, the website to see what it's all about is www.ihscga.org - my daughter's school is Fairfield from Goshen)

 

-- Edited by Susan at 07:37, 2006-03-03

Hey good for her!

Thanks everyone!!

I will let you know how we do tomorrow - it's kinda nerving going into this competition!

i have happy news today!  my daughter called me yesterday to tell us that she has been accepted into the fine arts program!  i still don't know what she plans to do with a degree in fine arts, but maybe her photography and painting will keep me out of a nursing home!

Congrats to her- any degree is a great accomplishment!

This is all nice news. I wish I had some to share.

You go Mz! We are behind you, no matter what it is.

Mad Mema wrote:

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I ended up winning like $110 worth of stuff playing bingo.  I never win anything, so that was really cool.

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yay!  i love stuff!  what did you win?

Way to go MZ and MEMA!!

I guess I will add that I'm happy that my hubby's surgery went well and that I didn't get lost at the hospital or on the way home!

Susan wrote:

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That's good to hear Woo!  Are you enjoying a few days off??

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Well I'm not at the enjoying stage yet, but I'm off until Tuesday.

BEACONSFIELD, Australia (CNN) -- Rescuers have freed two Australian gold miners who had been trapped underground for two weeks after a cave-in that killed a co-worker, the mine's manager said Tuesday.