Critter Control Contracted by Local Fox News Station Faces Animal Cruelty Charges

[Maggie Funkhouser]

The Henrico Police Animal Protection Unit obtained three warrants for
animal cruelty charges against Mr. Keith J. Copi, who operates the
company Critter Control. The pest control company was contracted in
early June by WRLH Fox 35 to trap and remove a feral cat colony behind
the business on Westmorland Street. Last week, bulldozers began
plowing through brush that has become home for dozens of feral cats
living outside the station. Workers stopped when a large number of
cats ran from the brush.

According to a CBS 6 news report, “after a thorough investigation and
consultation with the Henrico County Commonwealth Attorney's Office we
[the Henrico Police Department] determined that Mr. Copi acted
illegally by trapping and then killing the cats. We are not releasing
the manner in which the cats were killed as that will be used as
evidence against him in court by the Commonwealth Attorney.” Mr. Copi
faces up to 12 months in jail and a $2500.00 fine on each charge; he
will be arrested later this week.

Again, Alley Cat Rescue is urging our members to contact the following
individuals and companies to express your outrage on FOX’s decision to
kill the cats instead working with animal organizations to TNR the
cats:

Fox Richmond WRLH Channel 35
Phone: (804) 358-3535
General Manager: Steve Genett
Online Feedback Form: http://www.fox35.com/inside/contact.shtml
Mailing Address: 1925 Westmoreland Street, Richmond, VA 23230

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc
Phone: (410) 568-1500
President and CEO: David D. Smith
Online Feedback Form: http://www.sbgi.net/contact/contact.shtml
Mailing Address: 10706 Beaver Dam Road, Hunt Valley, MD 21030

And you may also contact the animal control company responsible for
the killing the cats at:

Critter Control
Telephone: (231) 947-2400
Toll Free: (800) 451-6544
Fax: (231) 947-9440
Address: 9435 E. Cherry Bend Rd. Traverse City, MI 49684
Email: in...@crittercontrol.com

The phone number for the local office that killed the cats is:
(804) 674-6621
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