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Tacoma Police Rescue 60 Cats From Sailboat Off Owen Beach

8/13/2026

39 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

On Aug. 6, Tacoma Police rescued 60 cats from a 40-foot sailboat off Owen Beach.
Animal Control, forensic teams spent six days using power tools to extract the cats as police kept the vessel a crime scene under a warrant and warned not to board it.
Authorities said trapper Camille Sutherland boarded, took two cats to the Humane Society, may face a citation, and that the cats are thin but okay.

History

Historical Context

President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Animal Welfare Act on August 24 1966, giving the USDA authority to license and inspect animal dealers and research facilities. Amendments in 1970 and 1976 broadened coverage to all warm-blooded species and transport standards. That federal framework underpins today’s Tacoma Police and Humane Society rescue of 60 cats from a sailboat.

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Story summary

On Aug. 6, Tacoma Police rescued 60 cats from a 40-foot sailboat off Owen Beach.
Animal Control, forensic teams spent six days using power tools to extract the cats as police kept the vessel a crime scene under a warrant and warned not to board it.
Authorities said trapper Camille Sutherland boarded, took two cats to the Humane Society, may face a citation, and that the cats are thin but okay.

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