My cat disappeared within a week of my neighbor showing off a steel trap he had. Any legal charges I can file?


My neighbor, whom the entire neighborhood can't stand, came knocking on our door about a week ago. He have a steel trap. He thinks he's "so cool" because he has all these knife, guns, and traps. He's a recently released felon and we all wish he'd only go back where he come from. Anyways, now my cat is missing and this guy hasn't bothered us since the cat has been gone. It's pretty clear that he kill our cat. I don't think he meant to, but I don't care. I love my cat. Besides the reality that our cat "Bandit" was out family pet, he was a purebred bi-color ragdoll. These cats aren't cheap. We didn't rate that much for him because he was adopted, but we did spend a lot on vet bills for him. We loved our cat dearly and could never replace him. Does anyone hold any advice on what I should do about this? I have no proof that he trapped our cat, but Bandit would never run away from home and I don't infer it's just a coincidence that he's missing right after "crazy guy" showed us his steel trap. Are there any legal whereabouts I can take without any proof? Is there any bearing I could get anyone to come investigate without starting trouble with my neighbor? This guy really scare me and I don't want to cause trouble with him unless it can be resolved sufficiently. Please help!
Best Answer:
Did he put the trap within your yard? Why would it be his fault if your cat went into his courtyard. You have no legal proof of nothing. A cat by imperative is considered property.
ASk the local animal control people to talk to him; at your own risk Ditto a convo with the police almost the legality of it in your area.
The previous responses have pretty much covered the aspect of the missing cat rather capably. However, one thing did jump out at me. You mention he's a recently released felon and at like time, in possession of firearms. If you are in the United States and you're sure he's a convicted felon and in possession of firearms, both your local as okay as federal authorities would be very interested in having a epic conversation with him which might ultimately result in them relocating him to alternate housing.
Unless you saw him set a trap and pull your dead cat from that trap, you have not proof of anything. No court care without proof.
Yoiu own exactly ZERO evidence that this person had anything to do with the cat's disappearance. If you valued the cat so much, why did you tolerate it wander the neighborhood? So many things can happen to a cat allowed to knock around, naming a neighbor is about the least likely. You hold no legal options, and the police will not be interested in a missing cat minus some pretty convincing proof. The cat was out of your yard, it's nobody's fault but yours, and that's what they'll let somebody know you.
Yes, most of what you've asked has be answered... But any cat worth having is worth protecting. Keep the next one in the house. If it requests to be outside, teach it to walk on a leash... i have one i hold out every day, because i love him and he was expensive.