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Man charged with theft and animal cruelty after nine cats go missing

Animals found and are fine
Posted at 10:53 AM, Jun 19, 2019
and last updated 2019-06-20 00:15:07-04

PERU—A Peru, Indiana landlord apparently thought nine cats in one small apartment were too much, but what he did about it led to his arrest.

According to information from the Miami County Prosecutor and the Peru Police Department, 48-year-old John Norris owns an old church building on East 5th Street in Peru.

He was renting a room in that building to a man who lived with nine cats and Norris wanted the man and his cats out.

The two apparently argued and witnesses told police they saw Norris leave the building with the cats while the animal's owner was out.

Norris eventually admitted to taking the cats, which were in animal crates, and leaving them outside a Peru animal clinic.

The cats were found there in good condition and are back with their owner.

As for Norris, court records indicate he faces theft and animal cruelty charges.