GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio – The FOX 8 I-Team has learned Garfield Heights Municipal Court Judge Jennifer Weiler will have a new hearing in Nancy Segula’s case.
The 79-year-old Garfield Heights woman was sentenced to 10 days in jail after ignoring multiple warnings and citations for feeding stray cats for several years.
In Garfield Heights, it is illegal to feed stray dogs and cats under ordinance 505.23.
Judge Weiler told the FOX 8 I-Team the magistrate heard Segula’s case last week because she was off.
She said she will have another hearing so she can hear from all sides.
The hearing has been scheduled for 11 a.m. August 6.
The magistrate ordered her to jail for contempt of court. Garfield Heights officials said Segula was ordered several times to quit feeding the cats but continued.
Bonnie Hackett, Garfield Heights animal warden, tells FOX 8 she has tried working with Segula for four years.
“We have had numerous complaints from neighbors,” Hackett said. “This started in 2015. The neighbors have called us asking for help. It becomes a health issue for neighbors. There are numerous cats. I have caught 22 cats already in that area. I am aware of 10 to 12 that are still over there now.”
Hackett said the cats that were trapped were taken to a rescue, given medical care, and put up for adoption.
Amy Beichler, executive director of PAWS Ohio, says her organization is going to help take care of the issue.
Beichler said she will go to Segula’s home and help trap the cats and kittens that are there now.
Beichler added she is working with Stautzenberger College, Brecksville campus, and they will provide medical care for the cats. Once the cats receive their shots and are spayed or neutered they will be put up for adoption.
Segula said she felt bad for the cats, so she fed them. She said she now wants them gone so they can possibly get adopted and get good homes.
She is hoping the judge will give her another sentence, besides jail, after the next hearing.
“The thought of going to jail scares me so bad,” Segula said.
