OK, the Animal Control officers just left and both were A+ guys -- very cordial. In fact, I think I found two new motorcycle riding and shooting buddies in this little fiasco. Anyway, according to NC law, if the cat had been here for 3 days it would have been considered my personal property and there would have been no penalty (wish I had known that BEFORE he asked me what happened). As it turns out, I was cited for animal cruelty and got a $100 fine. The citation is confidential as long as I pay the fine within 10 days, so that's about as good as I could have hoped for.
Regarding the trapping of the cat and taking it out to the country somewhere, that could very well be what happened to me. I live out in the country and I'm figuring someone dropped it off out here instead of taking care of the problem to begin with.
.38 Special said I've got bigger problems than animal control. Yeah, I think you're right! Even after 15 years I guess there are things to learn about our spouses and kids. I'm giving the kid a break this time -- we're not hunters so this was the first time he had seen anything like this.
Today's lesson: Try to capture first. If unsuccessful, send everyone to town and then shoot. Keep shooting until dead if necessary. Dig hole. Bury. Consider using AK or AR instead of 10/22 next time.
No BS here, scottaschultz. I'm happy to scan a copy of the citation and post it if you want to see it.