A resident of Arizona, who spent 14 years — and up to $100 million to feed the feral cats of the city, may be behind bars.
According to KNXV, the 64-year-old Paul Rodriguez of Gilbert spends his time and money traveling to different places around the city to feed the animals.
«It could be the obligation in thousands of dollars, he told the local station. — Honestly, during this period, I probably spent $100 thousand».
Rodriguez said he believes that feeding the cats helps keep them in certain areas, so they can be sterilized, and means to control the population.
But in 2018, the city adopted an Ordinance banning the feeding of homeless cats «on city-owned property or in public places,» but that didn’t stop Rodriguez. As a result, he has five times violated the law. The last time he was arrested in may of 2019, said ABC News Brand Carrasco, Department of public information of the police Department Gilbert.
«You said several times that people in the area don’t want you here fed feral cats,» says the officer, according to records with his enforcement cameras received KNXV.
Rodriguez claimed that a private company Southwest Gas gave him permission to feed these cats in their property, but the officer said that it is not.
«They don’t know who you are, and said that never gave you permission,» the officer said.
According to Carrasco, Rodriguez was charged with providing false information to a police officer.
But even the arrest didn’t stop Rodriguez, who continues to feed hungry cats and gets fines of up to $100.
