Judge's ruling: A nice little kitten like you doesn't belong in a garbage can

The judge will consider only those who will keep the cat indoors.
By LAURE CIOFFI
VINDICATOR NEW CASTLE BUREAU
NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- Lawrence County's President Judge Ralph Pratt is used to dealing with hardened criminals and tough attorneys.
But it was the sight of a little kitten in a garbage can that melted his heart.
"I saw that kitten in there and I said 'That can't be,' " the judge said Friday.
Found by workers
Maintenance workers found the orange tabby kitten in some bushes near the county courthouse Thursday.
They brought it into the maintenance garage to feed it, and tried to keep it in a large box, but the kitten kept escaping. They finally put it in an empty garbage can to keep it from running under any vehicles or out the garage door.
The judge, however, decided those digs weren't good enough.
The kitten was brought to Brenda Marino's office. Marino is an attorney who serves as a court master for asbestos cases in the county. Her office is in the same suite of offices shared by Judge Pratt.
"I don't mind sharing my office. He's really very sweet," Marino said of the kitten.
Judge Pratt was so concerned about the kitten that he returned to the courthouse Thursday night with his wife, cat litter and food.
The judge, who already owns four adult cats, is looking for a home for the little guy.
"He's an adorable cat and will probably be a lap cat. He just needs some attention," Judge Pratt said. The judge said he'll consider giving custody of the cat only to someone who will keep it indoors.
His name
The judge joked that he wanted to call the kitten Sua sponte, a Latin legal term meaning "of itself," but settled on Peanut because of his color and size.
Peanut is a male orange tabby estimated to be about 8 or 9 weeks old and is already on his way to being litter-trained.
The judge says he hopes to find a home for Peanut soon.
XAnyone wanting to adopt Peanut can contact the Lawrence County court administrator's office at (724) 656-1930 on Monday.