Buffalo woman’s trial revolves around stolen cat claim

The retired officer brought on-duty police officers to the rescue owner’s home, claiming she had text message images and videos proving the theft, according to a new lawsuit.

Police arrested Jamie L. Mulligan of West Side Cat Rescue. But when officers went to the house where the allegedly stolen cat was staying, the woman who said her cat was stolen said the feline inside wasn’t hers.

Despite this, Mulligan was assigned to the city police station, which included a strip search.

Now Mulligan, who had criminal charges against her dropped in September, is suing the retired lieutenant, the woman who claimed her cat was stolen and Buffalo police.

“This is what happens when I can’t get a cat back,” Mulligan claims he was told by former lieutenant Amy I. Marracino, who allegedly told the lockup staff to give Mulligan the “full” welcome. to the Buffalo Police Department. »

Marracino was apparently referring to a previous incident that Mulligan says occurred in October 2022 involving another cat, according to Mulligan’s lawsuit, filed by Snyder’s attorney, John J. Fromen Jr.

Marracino, of Cheektowaga, and Melanie L. Syph — the city resident who claimed Mulligan stole her cat — have yet to hire lawyers to represent them. They did not respond to telephone messages seeking comment.

The city, police department and officers are represented by attorneys with the city attorney’s office, who denied Mulligan’s allegations in a court document filed earlier this month. The suit names three police officers – William R. Folckemer, Bernardo Ortiz and Briana Harrington – and also files charges against five unnamed officers.

The lawsuit alleges a range of wrongdoing, including that Mulligan was subjected to an improper arrest, had her civil rights violated, and suffered physical injury and emotional distress.

Citing the ongoing litigation, Buffalo Police Commissioner Joseph Gramaglia declined to comment when contacted by The Buffalo News.

Mulligan also declined to comment for this story.

Mulligan dedicated her life to helping her community by tackling the problem of stray animals, and that’s how she was rewarded, said Lucas Fromen, one of the attorneys working on her case.

“You don’t need to see any evidence”

Around March 2023, according to the lawsuit, Mulligan trapped four pregnant cats who were among 15 to 20 stray cats in the backyard of 181 Jewett Ave.

On March 28, 2023, Syph called Mulligan and accused her of having her cat.

Mulligan told Syph that she was welcome to see if any of the rescue cats were hers and that she would need to provide proof of ownership. Syph refused, according to the complaint, and said she would call the police.

Marracino called Buffalo police, according to the lawsuit, telling them that Mulligan had this cat, that she had images of text messages from Mulligan and that there was video of the cat in emergency responders’ possession.

“These statements were knowingly false and without factual basis,” according to the suit.

At approximately 10:45 a.m. on April 3, 2023, Marracino and the three officers named in the suit arrived at Mulligan’s home on West Ferry Street. They claimed to have video of Mulligan’s Ring doorbell picking up the cat.

They asked him to give them the cat. Mulligan said she didn’t have it.

Mulligan asked to see the video or to see proof that Syph owned the cat.

Marracino, according to the lawsuit, told Mulligan: “You don’t need to see any evidence. »

When officers arrested Mulligan, she suffered an asthma attack and a panic attack, according to the suit. Police accused her of resisting arrest and she was “violently thrown to the ground” and handcuffed.

Mulligan, who was placed in the back of a police cruiser, suggested officers go to the house on Hodge Avenue where the cat in question was staying, according to the suit. Marracino followed him.

At home, Marracino took photos of the cat and texted them to Syph.

Syph said the cat was not hers, according to the lawsuit.

But that didn’t put an end to what was happening.

Police took Mulligan to the department’s central booking office, where she was charged with three misdemeanors: fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property, second-degree obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest.

Staff at Central Booking, where people arrested by Buffalo police are processed, asked the three officers named in the lawsuit why Mulligan was booked instead of receiving a ticket.

Officers reportedly said Mulligan had to follow the regular booking procedure and no appearance tickets would be issued.

Mulligan’s suit claims she was “forced to endure the humiliation and extreme embarrassment of a strip search.”

She was arraigned in Buffalo Municipal Court on April 25, 2023, where a judge released her on her own recognizance.

Syph refused to respond or cooperate with prosecutors, according to the complaint, and the case was dismissed on September 7, 2023.

The trial highlights the 2022 incident Mulligan says sparked Marracino’s animosity toward him.

In October 2022, Marracino helped someone file a police report claiming Mulligan had stolen that person’s cat, according to the lawsuit. Those accusations were baseless and turned out to be false, but led Marracino to dislike Mulligan, according to the lawsuit.

The parties to the lawsuit are expected to hold a conference with State Supreme Court Justice Gerald J. Greenan III on June 20.

Contact Aaron at abesecker(at)buffnews.com or 716-849-4602.