A firefighter and his girlfriend accused of stealing their neighbor's cat and dumping it in the Everglades agreed to a plea deal Thursday that kept them from serving any jail time.
Christopher Cortes and Iris Zukerman each pleaded guilty to one count of petty theft and agreed to undergo a psychological evaluation. In exchange, the more serious charge of animal cruelty was dismissed.
Neighbor Nancy Leonard claimed Cortes stole her black cat, Mr. Kibbles, and ditched it in the Everglades about 15 miles from their home. Leonard said Cortes was upset that Mr. Kibbles constantly slept on his truck and scratched it.
Mr. Kibbles returned home 13 days after he disappeared Feb. 5, 2005.
The plea deal almost didn't happen, though, when the judge decided not to accept a buyout option for community service hours.
Judge Ginger Lerner-Wren asked the attorneys for both the prosecution and defense to take some time and agree to the service hours.
"If not, the plea offer will be rejected and I'll set a trial," she said.
The judge got her way. Cortes must complete 100 hours of community service; Zukerman must complete 50 hours.
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