Cat's Fumigation Tent Death: Readers React

Gulfport readers have been responding to the death of Linda Craig's beloved pet cat, BearBear, who became trapped inside a fumigation tent and later died.

If not for the heroic efforts of one man – Joe Hashim at Cousin's Pizza – BearBear would have suffered a terrifying death inside the tent. Hashim crawled into the tent far enough to reach BearBear and pull him out. The cat made it home, but later died at a veterinarian's office.

Bob Newcomb wrote on the Gulfport Patch:

"My condolences to Linda Craig and her family on the loss of a family friend. My thanks, as a Gulfportian to Joe Hashim at Cousin's Pizza for his courageous act in attempting to save Bearbear. Linda and Joe are both members of the Guflport Area Chamber of Commerce, where I work. In fact Linda is our Vice President. The entire business community should grieve for Linda and be proud of Joe."

Added Ed Murray: "Joe Hashim's risky release of BearBear was a tender act of kindness and compassion."

Nicholas Weathersbee wondered why the fumigation company did not cancel the fumigation until the cat was removed from inside the tented home. He wrote on the Gulfport Patch Facebook Page: "They should have stopped the gassing until the pet was found."

Yet other readers took the owner to task for allowing BearBear outside in the first place. Even in laid-back Gulfport, one reader noted, county leash laws ban felines from roaming outdoors:

Pat Harbuchuk wrote on the Gulfport Patch: "There is a leash law in Pinellas county for dogs, and yes, even CATS. This means cats are not allowed to roam free within Pinellas County. I have 12 cats and none of them go outside. I keep them inside with me where they are safe. Cats are just too naturally curious and get into too much trouble when left outside to their own devices."

Philip Penrose echoed those comments: "While I don't know the facts of this sad story (I am a cat lover/owner) I do know of the laws and codes of Pinellas county. No one is doing their cat a favor by allowing it to run free. It is a know fact that the life expectancy of a free-running cat is much less ( 5 years, I think, is the average life of an outdoor cat) than a house cat."

BearBear's owner Linda Craig, who runs Perfect Ten Nails and is active in the Gulfport community, stepped in with her own thoughts, voicing her sadness over the loss of her pet, a family member.
"Just to clear the air... I'm fully aware of Floridas leash laws. I get it. I got it when lay in my arms suffocating from the poison! I get it people... enough is enough! That's like saying... I'm sorry about your child's death but they shouldn't have been jaywalking! Really people... do me a favor... my shop is located at 2908 Bch. Blvd. S. I'll be in tomorrow. Stop in and share your negative thoughts to my face. Do you not realize I paid my penance with Bears death. If you're taking stock of your life you have no business to judge mine! I'll remember who you are. How dare you."
Others expressed compassion. They spoke about the bond people have with their animals, and the grieving when they pass away:

Jenny DeLand wrote on the Gulfport Patch Facebook Page: "Sorry for your loss Linda, it is extremely hard to lose a pet! I met BearBear lots of times, so sweet!"