SALT LAKE CITY - A Utah man is accused of violating a protective order because he allegedly sent letters to his estranged wife's cat.

Authorities say 32-year-old Ronald Charles Dallas, of South Salt Lake, was ordered not to contact his wife, who is the alleged victim in a domestic violence case against him.

Prosecutors allege Dallas mailed 11 letters from jail that were addressed to her cat Molly Judge and a neighbor, but were intended for his wife. They say the letters asked her not to testify against him.

Dallas now faces 11 counts of violation of a protective order and two counts of tampering with a witness.

His court-appointed attorney, Trent Ricks, says he couldn't comment until he speaks to his client.