Kay,

You have said, yet, what kind of traps this nut case is setting. Are
you sure thary are a "legal type"? (Such as the Have-a-Heart, live
catch traps.)

What kind of a "huinter" uses live catch traps anyway? He (the SIL)
sounds as nuts as the old man!

Since he has chained the trap to a post, sounds to me like he knows
he's doing something he shouldn't be doing. Have you spoken to any of
the Animals Rights groups about this nut? How about one of the animal
rescue organizations, like, say Alley Cats Allies or a local chapter of
that organization.

Animals do have rights here in the states, but we also have a severe
animal over population problem because some people let in tact animals
run free, or, worse yet, treat them like a disposable commodity. They
sinply turn the animal out when they grow tired of them. Pet
abandonment is a crime in most states. Enforcing the laws is the hard
part.

Last fall we had a young man take his anger out on some horse owned by
his neighbor, slashing many and actually killing one. Right before his
trial came up, his Lawyer plea bargined him down to a lesser charge
thus keeping him from going to a jury trial. A jury would have wanted
to hang him, literally! I know I wanted to!

I am wondering if there is anything you can do to the neighbor,
legally, to make his life as rough as he has made yours. Can one take
their neighbor to courst fro harassment and causing undo emotional
stress? Got any lawyer friends who can advise you on the possibilities
of a civil case against this jerk? That is now what the owner of the
horse has to do to get any justice and/or compensation for wrongful
death of their horse.

Rebecca