I don't see why he can't see her. I mean, even putting aside the crazy notion that it's his mother (WTF, dude? Going for insanity?), I'd be just devastated if I couldn't see my cats for 5 years. If someone can bring her in, and they can just have a private room for a bit, who cares? Might make him more agreeable as a prisoner.

I don't see why not either (again ignore his belief that it's his mother reincarnated). They bring animals to sick patients in hosptials as part of therapy, I don't see why it can't be done (obviously supervised) in a prison as well, it could help lower tensions, it could be a sort of therapy for them as well.

i'm trying to figure out exactly how this guy could hide drugs in a cat.....................

I see where you're going Kim, and I'm all for compassion - but this is prison, not a day at the zoo. I guess I'd be honest and say I wouldn't support this.

I don't support this either. You are a criminal and you don't deserve special treatment.. like being able to see your pet. TOO BAD!

okay, i really think this guy is crazy, but are there not laws that cover religion and beliefs..or something?! maybe has a bond w/ this animal, and i think he should be allowed visits. now i think i've heard it all!! lol

but if you're allowed to see your family (people) why can't prisoners see their furry family? I'm a lot closer to my dogs than I am to most of my family members and they won't live as long. As long as someone is willing to bring the pet, the pet isn't dangerous, and it doesn't cost the prison any money I don't see what's wrong with that.

i think seeing pets calms people down. Cats and dogs make people happier (if they like them, of course) and I feel like animals should be used in a kind of prisoner therapy too. (aggression can be eased with animals if done correctly)

I don't see why they couldn't sedate the animal and check it for anything and then let the guy see it. I mean someone's got to be taking care of it, why not let them see it. it's a cat for god's sake. not a publicist.

I am leaning towards no, because the poor cat isn't able to say whether it wants to see him, unlike a human visitor who can go of their own free will so you know they consent.

I think he should be allowed to see his cat, his mother reincarnate or not. I'd be completely devistated if I faced several years without seeing my kittybuttfuzzypoopface. And time with no animals around tends to make me testy and anxious and... none too agreeable. IE, you wouldn't want me in prison if I couldn't pet my kitty every once in a while at least.

Makes more sense to let him see his cat/mom than to not.

For those people who wouldn't let him see his cat because he's in prison, and he doesn't deserve the special treatment... Helloooo this is PRISON... he's confined to a cell all day long, on someone else's schedule, he has no rights, no freedom, maybe he has the chance to do certain activities they might allow him to do on good behavior, but seeing his cat? I say, why not? Let him have at least that. And obviously, since he's sentenced to 5 years, it must have not been something TERRIBLE he did... if he brutally murdered someone, I might be inclined to think a little more like you guys, but I think even then, i'd let him see his cat.

This makes me wonder what the law says in regards to freedom to practice religion. I believe people incarcerated even get those rights. But where do you draw the line at religious freedom? Apparently the judge says here. I'm curious though...

There are plenty of programs that have inmates training service dogs and such, so "protecting the pet" is not a very valid argument in this case. There have been studies that say that animal therapy is actually very good for an inmate's recovery. If this guy is considered stable/non-violent enough to have human visitors, I don't see why he can't see his cat.

The county prison for the county I live in has inmates training therapy and service dogs. The prisoners say it has done wonders for their own mental health and rehabilitation into society. Some of them have gone on to continue with the program once they got out of prison.

I think it may do good towards rehabilitation to allow certain inmates visitations with their pets. I know my dogs are my children and I'd want to see them.

On the other hand - isn't a gun-wielding buddhist an oxymoron? How is that even possible? Maybe he truly does believe his mother is reincarnated within the cat. However I can see how denying him visitation with the cat isn't infringing on the practicing of his religion. He can practice his religion without visits from his reincarnated mother.