TAMPA, Fla. (AP) - Animal control authorities are not amused by a fast food
chain’s marketing stunt encouraging customers to dress their cats in a
special take out bag.

Tampa-based Checkers Drive-in Restaurants Inc. is distributing “Rapcat” bags
designed with cutaway areas for the cat’s legs and tail. The cat’s head
sticks out the opening of the bag, which is designed to look like to a
basketball jersey and gold chain worn by the hip-hop Rapcat puppet in
Checkers commercials.

A Hillsborough County Animal Services news release on Monday said forcing a
real, unwilling cat into a “Rapcat” bag could be considered felony animal
cruelty. The bag’s warning - “not all cats will be down with wearing this
bag. Do not harm or endanger any cat” - is not enough, the agency said.

“We have no ill will toward Checkers or Rapcat as a character,” said animal
services spokeswoman Marti Ryan. “Our message is that it is not a good idea
to try to stuff a cat in a bag. It’s a matter of common sense.”

She said the agency is prepared to go to court if necessary to stop the
campaign.

Checkers said it means no harm.

“When our Rapcat commercials began airing last fall, they were an overnight
success,” said Richard Turer, senior vice president of marketing for
Checkers. “We received dozens of letters from our guests requesting Rapcat
merchandise. Our new Rapcat Web site, cups and carry out bags are all in
response to Rapcat’s popularity and are intended only as a creative
extension of our television campaign.”