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http://www.komotv.com/news/17561799.html


ROCHESTER, Wash. (AP) - A reclusive, independent woman whose home has been ruined by hundreds of rats she calls "friends" has agreed to move into an assisted living center, and officials were scurrying to find one for her Friday.

Michele Diller, 64, who had rebuffed efforts to help her by a wide range of agencies, changed her mind to regain possession of her cat, which was confiscated along with 11 caged animals - four severely malnourished snakes, five mice and two rats - Susanne Beauregard, Thurston County animal services director, said Friday.

"I told her I would let her have her cat back if she agreed to move," a relieved Beauregard told The Associated Press.

Diller told KOMO Television late Thursday she was ready to leave, but as of midday Friday she was still in the house and Beauregard still had the cat as agencies sought alternative housing and considered what to do about the rats, which have begun turning up in neighbors' yards on the outskirts of this southeast Thurston County town.

"Initially she was saying, `You can't hurt them, they're my friends,"' Beauregard said.

"I don't have a problem with any animal," Diller told the Seattle TV station.

Unlike the snakes, which were on the verge of death from starvation and hypothermia when they were taken to a veterinarian for recovery efforts Wednesday, the cat was plump and in good health except for a runny nose and eyes because of ammonia from the overpowering stench of rat urine and feces throughout the house, Beauregard said.

The county is likely to charge Diller with animal cruelty over the treatment of the snakes, two boa constrictors, a corn snake and a king snake, "if that's the only way to assure that she gets a mental health evaluation," the animal control director added.

The rats, apparently the progeny of a few that escaped after Diller bought them as food for the snakes, have gnawed through wiring, walls, cupboards and drawers, "so there's no lights or heat or

[KathyM]

She claims she has no problem with any animal, but apparently has a problem with those poor snakes. All that "food" running around, and the snakes are starving? I can totally understand pet rats, but rats who have free run of the house without any rules for "dating" is really asking for trouble. They are neither pets nor friends.

Hey, did you hear about the 150 lb. mountain lion we had out here in CHICAGO? He'd been on the loose here for a couple of weeks. The police had to shoot him after he was cornered and charged at them. They think he came from Wisconsin, but it's possible he was someone's "pet."

People have strange tastes when it comes to pets.

[Kitty]

Originally Posted by KathyM

Hey, did you hear about the 150 lb. mountain lion we had out here in CHICAGO? He'd been on the loose here for a couple of weeks. The police had to shoot him after he was cornered and charged at them. They think he came from Wisconsin, but it's possible he was someone's "pet."

People have strange tastes when it comes to pets.

I don't understand why they had to kill him. Why didn't they just shoot him with a tranquilizer dart and take him to a zoo or wildlife preserve?

If he was a pet then whomever had him should be jailed. Being that stupid should be a crime.

[KathyM]

It was sad, but it was their only option. The cougar was spotted in a residential area, and the police had him cornered. Animal control officers were on the way when the cougar charged at the police.

I get a kick out of our mayor. A lot of people were upset the animal had to be killed. His response was "Hey, I didn't hear of anyone running out of their homes wanting to save the pretty kitty."

It's hard for me to believe this mountain lion was living in the wild somewhere in Wisconsin and made his way to Chicago. I think those people should be angry at the owners instead of the police for placing this animal in this predicament in the first place.

[MelodyL]

I am just trying to picture me and Alan walking out of our home one morning, heading off to Dunkin Donuts, and there's a mountain lion in the street.

I can't even begin to fathom what I would do!!!


Years ago, my mother lived in Florida (in Port Richey).

They had neighboring (I don't know what they are called, but there are houses with lakes in the backyard).

So one day, this woman goes to her back door, opens the door and there is this tremendous alligator on her back porch.

As my mother told me this I said 'Oh my god, that could have been you". She laughed and said "I never thought of that".

Never thought of that?? Holy Cow.

Just imagine, opening a door and there's an alligator.

And now we have mountain lions roaming about??

And ladies with Rats in their home??

Good Lord, what's next?? Flipper in the bathroom??

[KathyM]

I have an old useless room that used to be a porch. To get outside, we have to walk through the "family room."

My husband had surgery on his leg a while back and I got him all set up in bed, but I forgot his medications out in the car. I was dressed in an old pink robe and slippers. It was cold and snowing out, but I figured I could walk the few steps to the car from the front door without being seen.

I walk out into the useless room and hear a ticking sound. I look over and see a racoon looking at me. I stomped my foot, but he wouldn't back down.

I went back into the house and armed myself with a pan and spoon. I was able to keep him at bay and get out to the car, but I was afraid to go back into the house through the front door. The racoon was probably at the front door waiting for me.

SO, I had no choice but to walk across my front lawn through the snow - dressed in my old pink robe, slippers, and carrying a spoon and pan. A neighbor was out walking his dog and saw me, but neither one of us said anything to each other. He probably thinks I'm crazy.

The thought of going up against a racoon was nerve rattling enough. I can't IMAGINE having to face a mountain lion - who's probably hungry!

[clouds z]

i saw a racoon i didnt feel afraid of it all that much

cougars have been seen where i live everyfew years

they lurk they see us, but we dont see them

theyre there on outskirts and in parks i think

they stalked some girls i think in wa state a few years ago or one cat did

they can be cunning and dangerous

a bear was in the u district in seattle last year of all places that is really weird

yes kathy i heard about the chicago couger-is there a park that leads to woods? thats what we have here