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'Goth Kitties' Seller Convicted

Jury finds cat piercer guilty of animal cruelty

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 4, 2010 4:57 PM CST

(Newser) – A Pennsylvania woman was convicted of animal cruelty for giving kittens human-style body piercings and selling them on eBay as "Goth Kitties." Holly Crawford had pleaded not guilty to the charges; her legal team had argued that since parents take their kids to get their ears pierced, pierced cats shouldn't be considered a big deal. "It wasn’t with any cruel intentions," Crawford had said in her defense. "They were definitely loved, well-fed, no fleas, clipped nails. And they were happy.”

But the jury agreed with the prosecution's assessment that the piercings—which were made with a 14-gauge needle, the size typically used to pierce cattle's skin—put the cats at risk for deadly infections and other health problems. The ear piercings Crawford performed could permanently damage the cats' hearing, while the tail and back piercings hinder their ability to balance and jump, Discover reports. She'll be sentenced March 31.

The kittens were pierced at just three months of age.
The kittens were pierced at just three months of age.
Crawford reportedly used a 14-gauge needle, typically used to pierce the skin of cattle.
Crawford reportedly used a 14-gauge needle, typically used to pierce the skin of cattle.
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The trial has begun for a northeastern Pennsylvania woman charged with animal cruelty for marketing 'gothic kittens' with ear and neck piercings over the Internet.   (AssociatedPress)

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 34 comments
yukonchuck06
Feb 9, 2010 4:20 AM CST
boo, RIFF, dude, boo...........
yukonchuck06
Feb 9, 2010 4:19 AM CST
well, what SIZE is appropriate you moron?
yukonchuck06
Feb 9, 2010 4:19 AM CST
What's even sicker is that, I'm sure some sick bastard was fucking bidding on them....

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