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Cops: Dispute over veterinarian bill led to arrest of 85-year-old man

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A man who refused to pay his cat’s vet bill was later arrested by Collier deputies for theft after an argument at All Animals Clinic on Santa Barbara Boulevard.

Norman Edward Whitney, 85, of the 2300 block of 50th Terrace Southwest, was arrested by Collier deputies at his home Monday. He faces charges of petit theft.

Reports show Whitney became angry Monday afternoon and refused to pay the bill for his cat when he showed up at the clinic. A woman working at the time refused to give him his pet until he paid.

A deputy arrived to cite Whitney for trespassing on the property, but as he was writing the warning, Whitney stole a stack of medical records off the front counter and left.

Deputies tracked Whitney to his home and retrieved the stolen medical records.

Whitney’s cat remains at the clinic, a worker there said Tuesday.