Animal removal company owner agrees to pay fine for trapping, releasing family cat

The owner of a nuisance animal removal company accused of trapping a family’s pet cat has agreed to pay $900 in fines and not apply for a business license in the city of Charleston for two years.

David Palvado of Mount Pleasant, an owner of Animal Solutions of Charleston, was accused of trapping Catherine Greenfield’s 9-year-old Siamese mix cat, Josie, near her Boundary Road home on Daniel Island on March 23 and releasing the feline in a wooded area at the end of Clements Ferry Road.

After a 17-day search, Greenfield found her cat, who was hungry and had ticks and fleas but was otherwise unharmed.

Palvado was charged by city of Charleston Animal Control with keeping of strays, animal abandonment and illegal treatment/cruelty. The citations carry maximum fines of $158, $470 and $1,092, respectively.

He was later found not to have a business license in the city of Charleston.

On Monday, Palvado agreed to pay a $700 fine for the keeping of strays charge and $200 restitution to Greenfield, who gave a $400 reward to the family who found Josie. He also agreed not to seek a business license in the city of Charleston for two years. The illegal treatment and animal abandonment charges weredropped.

Reach Brenda Rindge at 937-5713 or www.facebook.com/brindge.