PITTSBURGH — A Pittsburgh woman is facing a conversion claim for allegedly refusing to return a house cat to its rightful owners after agreeing to babysit the animal.
Caitlyn Cody filed a complaint in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County against Katelyn Malizia, alleging conversion.
According to the suit, Cody and a third party, Michael Coggins, took ownership of a house cat named Pete with a verbal agreement that they would be joint owners of the cat, who would reside primarily with Coggins.
Cody claims the cat suffered from various illnesses including a respiratory infection and ear mites for which she took the cat for veterinary treatment and covered the medical costs. Cody further claims that she also provided food, supplies and money to Coggins to cover the care of the cat.
She alleges that in May of 2022, Coggins needed to move to Las Vegas and intended to either take the cat with him or return the cat to her as co-owner. She claims that Coggins left the cat with Malizia, who was temporarily babysitting the animal while he was out of town, and that Malizia has refused to return the cat to Coggins or herself. Cody also claims Malizia refuses to fill out adoption paperwork for the cat and remains in possession of the cat "without right or interest to do so."
Cody seeks monetary relief, interest and all other just relief. She is represented by Jeffrey Myers and Alexander Poorman of The Myers Law Group LLC in Warrendale.