NORTHAMPTON – Two women who were caught on tape stealing a cat from a Springfield adoption center last Thursday will not face criminal charges in connection with the incident, according to the Dakin Humane Society.
Northampton Police recovered the 8-week-old kitten, named Flint, at a city home on Saturday after Springfield Police contacted them to assist with identifying two suspects captured by surveillance footage. In the footage, taken midday Thursday, two women are seen running from the adoption center, one of whom has the kitten stuffed under her shirt.
“We are very pleased that Flint was returned to us less than 48 hours after he was taken, and we are grateful to the Northampton and Springfield police departments for their efforts in locating him,” Carmine DiCenso, executive director of the Dakin Humane Society, said in a statement. “The people who took Flint cooperated with us and the police officers, realized that what they did was wrong, and surrendered him.”
As a result, DiCenso said, Dakin was not asking police to press charges against the women.
Flint was awaiting adoption for a fee of $350 when he was taken from the center last week and is one of about 40 cats awaiting adoption in Springfield. Dakin also has a second location in Leverett.
Lee Chambers, a Dakin spokeswoman, said after the surveillance footage was posted on social media and published by the news media, Northampton Police received several tips from people who recognized the women involved with taking Flint.
Asked if Dakin learned about the women’s motivation for taking the cat, Chambers said, “I think they wanted to have this kitten and did not want to go through the usual channels.”
“We got the best outcome we could have hoped for,” Chambers added. “He was back in our care in 48 hours and is in great shape.”
Flint will become available for adoption soon, according to the agency.
Dan Crowley can be reached at dcrowley@gazettenet.com