05/01/2026
Help
If you hear information or have seen someone on Sugar Maple drive or surrounding area in Caseville trapping cats and disposing of them contact the state police. We have had a tip but we need more people to step forward with information. I have spent many hours, and miles transporting these animals, not to mention the cost. To have them killed by someone.
Also residence are missing their personal pets in this area.
These animals have a job in our society it’s called rodent control.
In Michigan, it is illegal to kill, trap, or harm free-roaming, stray, or feral cats, as they are protected under state anti-cruelty laws, not classified as "nuisance wildlife". Intentionally killing a pet or community cat can lead to criminal charges, even if the cat is not owned.Key points regarding Michigan laws on trapping and killing cats:Animal Cruelty Laws: Under Michigan Law, it is a crime to willfully kill or injure another person's animal. Feral cats, while roaming, are covered under protections against inhumane treatment, and killing them can result in felony animal cruelty charges.No "Nuisance" Status: Unlike animals such as raccoons or woodchucks, which the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) allows property owners to kill under specific circumstances, cats are not included on the list of "nuisance animals".TNR (Trap-Neuter-Return): Trap-Neuter-Return programs for community cats are widely supported and legally recognized in many Michigan municipalities. It is illegal to abandon cats, but returning a vaccinated and spayed/neutered ear-tipped cat to its original location is a common practice.Illegal Trapping Consequences: Using inhumane traps (such as snare or body-gripping traps) and trapping with the intent to harm, kill, or illegally dump cats can lead to municipal civil infractions and state-level penalties.Exceptions: In very rare cases, if a cat is considered a threat to a person or another animal, law enforcement or animal control officers are the appropriate parties to intervene, not private citizens.If you are dealing with a nuisance cat, it is recommended to contact local animal control or a local rescue group to handle the situation legally and humanely.
