Archived Story

Kitty conundrum - Couple upset over recent shootings involving their cats
By KEILA SZPALLER of the Missoulian

Wayne Mostad and Traci Scharfe are thinking they may have to move from their Rattlesnake-area home after a second pet cat of theirs was recently shot. Simon, shot this past weekend, will survive the pellet wound but may have to have a leg amputated. Boots, another pet shot earlier in the year, died.
Photo by KURT WILSON/Missoulian
In September, Traci Scharfe's partner found Boots convulsing and bleeding on the floor of their lower Rattlesnake home. The white-footed, gray-haired feline died, and Scharfe said an X-ray showed a pellet stuck in her stomach.

This weekend, Scharfe and Wayne Mostad came home to find Simon, their 7-month-old kitten, stretched out on the bed with a bloody rear leg.

“I thought he either fell out of a tree or a dog got him,” Scharfe said. But she said Mostad insisted the veterinarian run an X-ray, and the clinician came back with a troubling report: “You have a pellet in your cat.”

“I didn't lose him, but he's the luckiest cat in the world to be alive,” Scharfe said.

She said the pellet struck his leg an eighth of an inch away from an artery. The hobbling kitty may need an amputation, but looks like he'll live. The shootings, though, have Mostad insisting on a move and Scharfe wondering if her neighborhood is safe for the pets she considers family.

“I just feel scared in my neighborhood for the first time in 18 years, and now our ‘children' are being killed,” Scharfe said.

So far, the problem's boundaries aren't clear. Scharfe said many signs about missing cats are posted near a Mount Jumbo trailhead in the neighborhood, and she now wonders if the recent disappearance of a neighbor's cat is suspicious, too.

She said she reported the incidents to Missoula County Animal Control and the Missoula Police Department. An Animal Control officer told her that without an eyewitness, there was nothing he could do. Scharfe said a police officer responded immediately and talked with neighbors, but no culprits were charged.

At those agencies, officials said they haven't seen a recent uptick in animal cruelty reports. Animal Control director Ed Franceschina said quite a while ago, people reported animal shootings outside Missoula.

“We've had some shootings and stuff like that in East Missoula, but nothing in the Rattlesnake,” Franceschina said.

He said most of the department's animal cruelty investigations are related to horse abuse. Franceschina couldn't find a record of shootings in the lower Rattlesnake, but he agreed with Scharfe's assessment that prosecution is difficult without a witness. However, he said discharging a firearm in the city is illegal.

“Shooting a pellet gun in the city is not good,” he said.

Police Lt. Scott Brodie also said reports of animal abuse aren't surging. Most calls come in when the weather is hot and people see animals left in vehicles.

“It's not real common, but I'd say probably every couple months we get some sort of report of it (animal cruelty),” Brodie said.

He said tracking down a culprit in such a case requires a lot of legwork and some good leads. Most of the time, a suspect will deny the accusation, so an officer needs some evidence or a witness to back up a citation, he said. In this case, the investigating officer's report didn't note any strong leads, and no one was charged in the case, he said.

So back on Cherry Street, Scharfe is wondering if she's a target or if someone is shooting cats at random. She said one neighbor bragged to her that he'd shot 38 squirrels in 42 days with his pellet gun, but he wouldn't show her the pellets so she could see if they matched the one she kept from Boots.

Another neighbor fired some random shots close to her home last summer, and she worries about that person, too. She said she alerted police to both. She and Mostad just spent $600 on security cameras.

“When times are so tight, the last thing I want to do is spend money on a security system,” Scharfe said.

Meanwhile, Scharfe is often home and keeping a close eye on her remaining kitties, Simon and Buttercup, and her golden retriever, Wesley. She said the cats typically stay in the yard, but close-range shots killed Boots and wounded Simon. So a move may be in order.

“I love my house, but I'm not going to live this way,” Scharfe said.

Reporter Keila Szpaller can be reached at 523-5262 or at keila.szpaller@missoulian.com.
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GPM wrote on Dec 31, 2008 6:28 AM:

" While I don't condone the shooting of cats the owners should keep them inside. It is doubtful if the cats stay in their own yard 100 per cent of the time. I keep my cats in because if I didn't they would be a meal for great-horned owls. Also, cats, a non-native species, kill millions of birds and other native species. "

walter f billings wrote on Dec 31, 2008 7:01 AM:

" As evil as killing cats is, many perverts, criminals, pedophiles, and psychopaths begin in this manner. They soon graduate to dogs and then children. Are the police and the neighborhood aware of that fact? They need to get this guy and soon. "

Erik M wrote on Dec 31, 2008 7:32 AM:

" Dont let your animals wander out of your house. I don't feel sorry for people who think their neighbors yard is their cats litter box, "the cats typically stay in our yard". The whole mentality of thats the way cats are, and you being my neighbor should just go along with it is absurd. How about I come over and spray your front door and do my business in your garden. Do you think you would want to put a bb in my butt? These people should be fined for animal cruelty. Its their fault this has happened, had they not let out the cats out of the house this would have never happened. "

curmanco wrote on Dec 31, 2008 7:50 AM:

" What a bunch of crap, no one is shooting the cats in there yard, they are being shot when they are running the neighborhood. Keep the things in your yard and you won't have a problem. Would they be crying the same river if one was flat on the street from a car? What a stupid article. "

dweezil222 wrote on Dec 31, 2008 8:08 AM:

" Animal cruelty is usually the first step towards becoming a serial killer. Hope they figure out who did it. "

Tonja Ray wrote on Dec 31, 2008 8:16 AM:

" people should have to live in fear. I'm sorry to hear about their animals.I love animal and hope that these people find the person whom did this to their cats they deserve an explaination for what happened to their animals and why some idiot is out shooting poor innocent animals.and the guilty party needs to pay for their action and cruelty.Not have a gun "

Karla wrote on Dec 31, 2008 8:35 AM:

" I am so sorry you had to go threw that! I know how you feel a year ago my cat was shot with a pellet gun also. I now can not let my cat's out of the house because I fear for their lives, not to mention I can't even take my dog for a walk on a leash because of my neighbors dogs running loose and trying to attack my dog. I have asked the animal control to do something about it and have even went as far as wrighting to the news paper hoping that would get someone to help but because I am in Seeley lake no one will do anything! I just can't believe that it would be ok for a pit bull to run loose attacking another dog on a leash. I to am considering a move! I just wanted you to know their is someone out their that knows what you are going threw! "

rebjr wrote on Dec 31, 2008 8:39 AM:

" City living is different from living out here in the country where barn cats are valued. When i lived in towns or cities i learned to hate cats. They tend to love to poop in my garden or my flower beds and when i would go to work in it i would have my inconsiderate neighbor cats poop all over my hands or shoes what a mess i hate city house cats but never would shoot em just consider that city cat owners are usually inconsiderate neighbors that dont give a poop about my yard my hands digging in the soil and comin up with their cats mess or accidently steppin in soft soil in the garden and having to scrape my shoes
the city of missoula has strong dog laws but poor cat laws as cat laws are hard to enforce the little stinkers run too fast "

cody wrote on Dec 31, 2008 9:04 AM:

" "Our Children are being killed"! What is this world coming to? We still have human beings being exterminated on this planet! I don't condone someone killing these cats as long as they stay on their owners property, but if they are going on someone elses property and making a mess then don't be surprised. It just angers me that there are articles like this when there are so many other important things in this world that should not stop being addressed until they change! "

Cindy Christina wrote on Dec 31, 2008 9:11 AM:

" I feel very sad for this couple and what they have gone through, and even worse for their innocent cats. I do have a suggestion however that was not mentioned in the article. Keep your cats indoors! There are a number of very good reasons to keep cats indoors all the time and the above story shows a very good one. The Humane Society website has an article supporting this, as does many other animal protection websites. Check them out. "

Dave wrote on Dec 31, 2008 9:14 AM:

" You state that your "Children are being killed" You shouldnt let them roam unchecked then be surprised by the out come. If these were real "children" you would be in jail for neglect. With the narrow mind you live your life with, you neverstopped to think if these cats were causing others problems. Maybe attacking songbirds that are an old persons "children" or crapping in a pregnant ladies yard which is very bad for her health. Stop and look around you are not the only one living here.
Take responsibility and keep your animals in control. And another onesided story for the Missoulian. "

Brian wrote on Dec 31, 2008 9:51 AM:

" Other peoples cats destroyed the heating system in my crawl space and nearly killed one of my children who is literally deathly allergic to cats. The cat dander got into his respitory system and gave him an infection near his brain, 4 surgeries in 3 days and weeks of interveinous anti biotics, but he lived. 30K and weeks of wondering whether this child was going to make it, all because people who don't think their cats leave their own yard. Keep your cats in your house and under control and they won't get shot, or caught in a trap for that matter. For those of you who are squealing this is how serial killers start might want to realize that there are a lot of people who have no issue killing a cat that do not become serial killers. Its a stretch at best. This isn't animal cruelty, its animal control. "

gary a wrote on Dec 31, 2008 10:24 AM:

" If these people care about their cats as "children" the cats should not be allowed to roam the area. The cats should be confined within their property boundaries. If the cats are allowed to explore the neighborhood they will continue to suffer the consequences. Besides trigger-happy neighbors have they considered hungry pit bulls, coyotes, bobcats and mountain lions? Instead of wasting $600 on a security system that will show nothing a donation to Animal Control would have been more beneficial. Enjoy those vet bills you idiots. "

my cat hates your guts wrote on Dec 31, 2008 10:31 AM:

" From Curmanco: "...They are running the neighborhood. Keep the things in your yard and you won't have a problem." I don't like your human children.... Does that mean I can shoot them with a pellet gun when they play in my yard? You cat-haters make me ill. "They poop in my garden" boo-hoo. Lay some rocks or chicken wire down in your flower beds if it bothers you. What do you think soil is made of anyway? Maybe Kitty is doing a service to your flowers. Or maybe Kitty knows you don't like it:) "

Marie wrote on Dec 31, 2008 10:57 AM:

" No where did I read about the lack of consideration for the neighbors. I have 2 cats, friendly outdoor cats that keep little critters out of my house and outbuildings. They are valued members of this household that earn their keep. However, I am a bird wathcer and a gardener, and I know that cats prey on domestic poultry and songbirds, raid their nests, staking out feeders, and using flowerbeds and vegetable gardens as litterboxes. Rural cats have more area to be cats, without impacting my neighbors. Urban cats will not remain in their own yards. Its against their nature. Keep them inside, where they aren't a problem for your neighbors, and you will keep them safe. "

Holly wrote on Dec 31, 2008 10:58 AM:

" I am shocked at the people who think that a wandering cat deserves to be attacked. Seriously? How ignorant. These are people pets whether or not they overstep boundries. Stepping in cat poop- sheesh come on, how many times have you stepped in DOG CRAP? More so, to Eric M who thinks the injured cat's owners should be charged with animal cruelty- you really sound like you need a reality check. "

RAK wrote on Dec 31, 2008 11:06 AM:

" I agree that just shooting cats to shoot cats is wrong, but if they are out of their own yard using your flower bed as a litter box what do you do? I don't like it when my own cat does it let alone someone else's cat. Also next to habitat loss, domesticated cats are the biggest killer of song birds. They are cute and cuddly but they aren't innocent. "

Auz wrote on Dec 31, 2008 11:24 AM:

" While I can understand people wanting others pets to stay off their property, but the idea that pets should be kept inside all the time is cruel and inhumane. How would you like to be kept indoors all the time? We all need some fresh air every now and then. We all live on here together, shooting each other, animal or otherwise is the wrong course of action. "

cfitch wrote on Dec 31, 2008 12:03 PM:

" I also don't condone the killing of anyone's pet for any reason, but responsible petowners don't let their pets stray onto other's property. Keep dogs fenced or penned in and take them for walks. Do everyone a favor (including your cats) and keep them indoors. Domestic house cats are a primary factor in the rapid decline of songbird species throughout North America.

“'I love my house, but I'm not going to live this way,' Scharfe said."

Ms. Scharfe wouldn't be having to "live this way" if she took care of her pets in a responsible manner. "

Neighbor wrote on Dec 31, 2008 12:12 PM:

" Where am I? And who are these people that are living around me? I thought I was in Missoula among people who pride themselves on maintaining a higher thought process than those lesser neanderthal types in other cities. Whether you like cats or not, whether you believe they should be kept indoors or out prowling around... shooting them is wrong. Wrong, wrong, wrong. "

smarsh wrote on Dec 31, 2008 12:16 PM:

" my cat hates your guts wrote on Dec 31, 2008 10:31 AM:

" From Curmanco: "...They are running the neighborhood. Keep the things in your yard and you won't have a problem." I don't like your human children.... Does that mean I can shoot them with a pellet gun when they play in my yard? You cat-haters make me ill. "They poop in my garden" boo-hoo. Lay some rocks or chicken wire down in your flower beds if it bothers you. What do you think soil is made of anyway? Maybe Kitty is doing a service to your flowers. Or maybe Kitty knows you don't like it:) "

boo hoo?....why don't YOU come to our houses and lay down the chicken wire or rocks? why should we build defenses against YOUR cats? i'm not a cat hater...had cats all the time when i was growing up. wouldn't shoot a cat either, but my neighbors cat came over to my FENCED yard and dug up and chewed up $100 in bulbs. would crap everywhere. now i have a dog....no more cat poop. survival of the fittest.

oh yeah....and people that call their pets their "children" are as FUBAR as people that equate shooting children to shooting cats..... "

whatnow wrote on Dec 31, 2008 12:19 PM:

" I doubt these cats got shot inside their house, so they must have been roaming the neighborhood.
Unfortunatly there are to many irresonsiple pet owners, not saying these people, so what happens is a backlash is created from all the animals roaming about, and the town does little more than shoot it's mouth off, so some people start taking things into their own hands....blame the town, I personally find the parks in town disgusting with feces. "

CMIK wrote on Dec 31, 2008 12:19 PM:

" These comments are simply amazing. Missoulians are so hypocritical! I've seen it time and time again. They masturbate about how "community-oriented" they are, how they like "diversity," yet when it comes to having the least bit of tolerance for a neighbor or something like a cat, forget about it! Kill the cat, attack the neighbor for stupidity, and be sure to display your own self-righteousness about what a "good citizen" you are! Maybe they should send a bunch of Missoulians to the Mexican border to help keep out that invasive species that supposedly sh*ts in our backyard!

And, by the way, cats are not the biggest enemy of birds. In fact, if cats are killings starlings or cowbirds, GREAT! They are doing us a favor. A bigger danger to birds are little boys with sling shots or b.b. guns, particularly in the southern hemisphere where the birds migrate and where children may not learn about conservation. And I'm sure that guy who killed 38 squirrels in 40 days has shot birds as well. I mean, why stop at squirrels when killing is so orgasmic?

Ah, this is Missoula and it's why WE LIKE IT HERE! "

Alison wrote on Dec 31, 2008 12:25 PM:

" People are really condoning shooting peoples' pets over poop? Seriously? People in my neighborhood let their dogs run free and I often find little - and not so little - doggie surprises in my yard but it has never even entered my head to shoot someone's pet over it. If cat poo is the worst thing you encounter in your life, count yourself lucky. As far as cats killing birds, well, they are predators. That's what they do. I think it is best to keep your cats inside for their health and safety, but killing people's pets is really unnecessary. "

traci wrote on Dec 31, 2008 12:44 PM:

" I am SHOCKED at the response of some of you sick people. My cats did not use other people's yards to spray in and do their business! and YES they are our children as we are unable to have children of our own. All of you thinking this is a stupid article get a flippin' life, have a heart, and show some compassion! -Traci owner of the cats! "

Animal loverz wrote on Dec 31, 2008 1:14 PM:

" I agree with "Neighbor" who wonders "where are we?" Putting animal control in your own hands is inhumane, cowardly and against the law. Why not try communicating with your neighbors if they have a pet that is irritating you for some reason rather than shooting a defenseless creature? I have a feeling that the reason the Scharfe cat's got shot was not because they were doing anything wrong, but some jerk-off was out thrill seeking. It makes one wonder why 38 neighborhood squirrels had to die too! SICKO! "

Animal loverz wrote on Dec 31, 2008 1:15 PM:

" BTW who's gardening in late December anyways?!?!?! "

Michel Valentin wrote on Dec 31, 2008 1:33 PM:

" What is going on Missoula? A war against cats and squirrels or dogs? Are Missoulians losing their heads and perspective? Is it because of the serious economic crisis?
People complaining about cats who poop in yards or hunt birds? Or critize cats for not being native species? Or justify shooting pets? Or advise cats' owners to keep their cats locked inside?
Missoulians, recover your senses and target your anger/frustration towards the right enemy: the politicos who deregulated the whole economy, the speculators, brokers and bankers who made you broke... and laughed at you all the way to the bank...until a few months ago that is....
Animals have nothing to do with the whole mess or the pathetic turn your life may have taken. They are innocent. Leave them alone. Take care of your own problems like genuine human beings: politicize yourself, act courageously and not cowarldy and work for a better society--and stop shooting.
MV "

Wayne Mostad wrote on Dec 31, 2008 2:06 PM:

" I feel like a response is needed from me considering all the vitriolic responses this article has generated. I will try to address most of your comments. Traci and I have talked with most of our neighbors concerning our cats being indoor/outdoor cats. At no time, has any neighbor complained or addressed our cats in others yards. Traci and I agree that if someone would have warned us that our cats were bothering them (and would be shot) we would have never let them out. I agree that cats (as with any pets) can be destructive and take full responsibility for what our animals do. The injury and death of our animals could be stopped by someone knocking on our front door and requesting our animals be kept in. Being born and raised in Western Montana, I am a hunter and outdoorsman and am under no illusion that our cats could be killed by many different animals and cars, but that does not belay the fact that someone is killing my animals without addressing me first. The article was intended (in my part) to inform the neighborhood of our situation and to see how wideranging this may be. The "children" comment in the article is probably a bit much, but without children we probably do have a larger connection to our animals than others. If you are interested in shooting my animals for there actions, please discuss this with mefirst. "

MissoulaNative wrote on Dec 31, 2008 4:00 PM:

" I really feel for these people. Having lost their cat is simply horrific. These Individuals that are going around shooting these cats should be prosecuted. If a individual would hurt or kill a neighbors pet he/she would also be likely to commit other crimes. This is just pure negligence. These cats are other peoples property and keep the varmint populations down. I believe that this city used to be great to live in but the people that are now living here make it unbearable. If some one was to shoot my cat, dog, livestock, or another thing that is my property.
If you really have such a problem with cats dogs and other animals in your yard move back to the big city. We run things a little differently up here, well at least we used to. Times may be changing but that does not mean that you can take out your pathetic aggression on other peoples property or family members because of your personal issues.
Just because someones kid hits a baseball into your backyard does that give you the right to shoot them?
Remember you cant move away from your problems nor should you have to because someone else has an issue.
I give my support to those that are suffering. "

Dauri wrote on Dec 31, 2008 4:52 PM:

" Traci, you have my deepest sympathy, and I know that you are a very responsible pet owner. I, too, love my pets and consider them my "children". As readers suggest, We can't imprison our pet cats inside the house. Animal cruelty is a legally punishable violation of the law. Report to animal control the name of the guilty person in this Cherry St. neighborhood so that once again it can be a safe place for pets & children to live. A person guilty of breaking the law killing innocent pets with a pellet gun is the type of person who will commit other crimes as well. "

Howdy wrote on Dec 31, 2008 5:43 PM:

" I guess if their cats get mashed by a car as they're wandering about, that's OK. But if a neighbor wants to keep the unrestrained pets our of their trash or flower gardens, all of a sudden they're serial killers in waiting? Come on, be responsible pet owners or suffer the consequences. "

Josh wrote on Dec 31, 2008 7:00 PM:

" I wonder what the response to this story would be if it were dogs getting shot. I have a feeling there would be an outcry for a police investigation and we'd see a public campaign to outlaw pellet guns (pellet free Montana?). The city would grind to a halt until the shooter was found.
The argument that it's okay to shoot a neighbor's pet for pooping or (gasp!) wandering into your yard is beyond ridiculous. If we treated dogs this way there would be none left in Missoula.
Shame on the shooter and all the apologists on this thread. "

poorkitty wrote on Dec 31, 2008 8:00 PM:

" I kinda feel sorry for the cat. But not for the owners, they're breaking the law by letting their pets run free.
Their action is reprehensable, that obvious....only a pot smokin' over the hill missoula left over 60s hippy with a bald head and stringy pony tail or his tatooed butch hair cut wife would see it otherwise.
If I was that cat I'd be looking for a new owner - one that cares enough to do the right thing and not let me run loose. "

Wayne Mostad wrote on Dec 31, 2008 8:11 PM:

" Why does no one use your full names? If you truely feel something enough to blog about it, stand up and use your name. Is your point too weak to justify the use of your real name. Our only request is that someone warned us before they shot our cats. Every neighbor we talked to (even if they didn't like cats) said they would not shoot them and I can only take them at their word. The article is was intended to share this info with the neighborhood. We understand (obviously) that there are those that like cats and those that don't, but want the 'common' respect to approach us before shooting our animals. I think most folks would agree that we should keep the 'cat killin' on the football field. This article is not about cats as much it is about neighbors and communication. "

traci wrote on Jan 1, 2009 2:37 AM:

" This goes out to POORKITTY! You are unreal! 60's hippy? butch haircut?-When did a woman with beyond shoulder lenghth hair become a butch? get an education you are a waste of human flesh!We were not even born in the 60's you FREAK!We are both respectful business owners in missoula.I am done reading these responses due to the minoritity that responds to them-UNEDUCATED cat HATERS! w/ nothing better to do while their top ramen boils!We are only reading them for leads! Carma! My fellow mean missoulian friends! I hope you will suffer as my kitty did on judgement day! Good Luck! And again Thank You those of you on our side, Thank You Keila our journalist! Thank you Pryun Vet clinic. Real Estate agents we're all yours! Find us a new place where we are SAFE!! Happy New Year!-Traci "

poorkitty wrote on Jan 1, 2009 3:06 PM:

" to traci.........I wasn't refering to you, so you went off on a rant needlessly. I also didn't use such vile language as you did in your post...are you sure you born in the 60s...must of those people seem to have very foul mouths espeically the women.

to Wayne, Mark Twain didn't use his real name either. One would be foolish to use their real name, because for as much as people like to say they are opened minded and excepting of other peoples opinions - quite frankly, they're not, case in point - notice how "trace" just ripped me a new one because my thoughts were diffent than her's.
I still feel sorry for that cat, the poor thing, it seems like the owner's don't learn their lesson and will continue to let their pets run free until something else happens to them, because they think their rights should trump others, humm have you noticed how a lot of pet owners are like that, like somehow they don't have to abid by pet laws. "

Glenda wrote on Jan 1, 2009 6:36 PM:

" Your story reminded me to the cruelty that can be inflicted on our pets. That is why I refuse to allow my cat outside, she has a window perch (available at PetsMart) for a nominal fee, she loves to watch outside that way. She gets sweet grass, has a covered sand box and my previous cat lived to be 21+ years old. The world is a big place for a small animal and cars and strange people make them targets. The neighbor should be reported for shooting squirels as well. "

Mary V. wrote on Jan 1, 2009 6:43 PM:

" My son Luke,age 8, would like to tell Traci and Wayne that he is sorry about their two cats. The vicious nature of these verbal attacks on these pet owners is appalling! I guess there really are some sick people out there!!! "

Shawna wrote on Jan 6, 2009 11:24 AM:

" WOW! It's amazing to me that there are so many negative comments and controversies over this article and subject matter. The sole issue here is to warn a neighborhood and find the person or persons responsible.

I have known Traci most of my life and nothing has ever been more important to her than her pets... How a person loves or refers to a member of their family shouldn't be criticized by anybody!

I don't live in Missoula any longer; however, I don't recall the people of Missoula being so vindictive over a situation that is clearly asking for help to be solved.

Over half of you that have made comments really should spend your time learning how to spell and how to use proper grammar before you open up on somebody else and try to sound educated. Every computer has spell check. You should learn how to use it!

I love you Traci and I hope you find out who is responsible. You are an intelligent and successful businesswoman. Use your resources to make a difference. "

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