Richard Lee Carter

First and foremost, I want to apologize for the incident that happened. Although realizing what happened was anguishing to both hear about and watch, I want you to understand that this incident was in no way intentional. I do not hate cats and never would I intentionally endanger them or any other animal for that matter.

I began working at Northpointe in September. When I arrived here, the walls facing our side of the property were destroyed. With knowledge of an upcoming visit but the corporate office and all 16 managers, I was told to do what I could to relieve the damage. Over time I began placing cardboard backing inside the wholes and then covering them with foam solely so I could later come back and chop off the excess before covering it with masonry patch concrete and repainting the wall. Due to the company’s lack of willingness to spend the amount necessary to properly and efficiently fix the wall, this was my way of doing this without spending large amounts of money.

Yes, I did know there were cats climbing in and out of the walls but I did not by any means try to cover them in foam or even entomb them. There were holes all throughout the other side for them to get in and out of and my only concern was the side facing the property. In various attempts to relieve the property of the feral cat problem, I was constantly in contact with animal control. However, my calls became meaningless as they refused to come and catch them. They have been a problem throughout the property since the beginning of my career at Northpointe as it became a contradictive battle between residents. On the one hand, there were the residents deliberately releasing their dogs to get them, killing many that I had to later pick up and dispose of. I have both witnessed this as well as had residents directly notify me of what they had done. On the other hand, there were the residents who were deliberately going against my back and efforts by stealing traps I had put out to catch them, punching more holes in the wall, and placing cans of tuna and other foods inside for them to eat. Although letters had been sent out throughout the complex telling residents not to do this, it still continued and over time became more of a problem.

Again, I do not hate cats. The irony of this whole situation is that this Happy Homes Sanctuary, the ones bringing the kittens back to health and who are holding up this accusation, is the same sanctuary I hand delivered a kitten to just a couple months ago after I had found one inside my work shop. If I were this kind of hateful cat killing man, why would I do such a thing? It’s rather pathetic that everyone needs someone else to blame and that I have been the one caught up. I am a loving father of two as well as an honest, hardworking man. On numerous occasions, I have lived with cats. In fact, I am living with two now. They are all still perfectly healthy and alive. They climb on my lap, I pet them, and every morning I wake up to them either cuddled next to me or biting my toes.

A majority of my career life has been based around helping out endangered species and the environment. With that said, I would never do anything that would erase or detriment all the efforts me and those I have worked closely with over the years. A few of these jobs I am referring to include the California Conservation Corps, the AmeriCorps Program, and the San Francisco Conservation Corps. If you do not understand what these are, feel free to look them up and find out what it is we do. I was the field education supervisor for the SFCC, a crew leader for the CCC, and a volunteer for the AmeriCorps for the Crissi Field Project.

You have no idea what this whole situation has done to me. I had to give out all of my money to pay back the bail posted on my behalf after spending almost two days in jail for an incident that was in no way done purposely. I am currently pawning my belongings to pay for a lawyer which I wouldn’t need if people had done their investigations properly. This has taken me from providing both time and money to adequately provide for my children which hurts the most because all I want to be is a loving father. I moved out here for them and this state is just pulling me away. Here I am, no money, no job, and just feeling more hopeless than anything else. This accusation has entirely turned my life upside down in just a matter of days. And thanks to the lack of hearing my side of the story and the lack of anyone even asking before all of this, everyone pictures me as this monster-like, cat hating type of guy and it’s unbearable for me to even walk down the street or enter my local store.

Again, I am truly, deeply sorry this happened to those poor kittens. I can honestly say, the only good that has come from this entire situation is that now, after many failed and destroyed efforts, people are finally trying to help these cats and catch them so they can find good homes. For that, I am thankful.

-Richard Carter
June 16, 2008