The distressing case of the lady who kept at least 100 cats in her home is slipping into history. However, a recurring question among those who comment on blogs about the case is how authorities failed to act upon the many complaints which neighbors on Manor Rd. had made over months. Why was there a response only when a political pollster associated with the approaching general election called in. The answer appears to be fairly straightforward. The pollster called 911 and said it appeared that there might have been a decaying human body at the home. The first responder to that information was the fire department. No doubt the 911 operator, taking no chances, alerted the fire department on the possibility that someone at the address might require resuscitation. On the other hand, it appears that the neighbor complaints were all directed to the City. Which did nothing. It’s an interesting commentary on how municipal politics works that a homeowner remains essentially “hands off” until there is an emergency complaint raising the prospect of sudden death. An unintended consequence to the rule that a man’s (or in this case a lady’s) home is his castle.
