VIRGINIA CITY - Boo has finally received the boot.

The Madison County Courthouse's unofficial mascot - a black cat named Boo known to wander the halls and stroll through hearings - was officially kicked out of the building this week. County commissioners said although the beloved cat may have had popular support, he didn't belong in the courthouse any more than other animals.

"The county's got a policy on animals in the courthouse," County Commissioner Dave Schulz said this week after voting to keep Boo out of the building. "We feel an obligation to adhere to it."

Last month commissioners considered barring Boo from the courthouse after complaints that he had vomited on the carpet. Yet county employees successfully lobbied to keep Boo around.

His owner Sheri Jarvis defended her cat at the time, saying the only reason he was throwing up was because people around town were feeding him junk food. Jarvis said if the county needed to keep him out, that was only fair.

After further consideration that Boo would open the floodgates to pets in the courthouse, commissioners decided to go ahead and ban him from the building.

But that might not be so easy.

Boo often slips into the courthouse when a door gets opened. The cat has grown so familiar with the building that he'll wander from department to department, seeking attention and usually getting it.

The pitch black cat has become well liked with many county employees.

"It's not going to be a popular decision in the courthouse," said Kathleen Mumme, deputy clerk and recorder.

And Peggy Kaatz, clerk and recorder, said it will likely be nearly impossible to keep Boo out of the courthouse. The public is constantly opening the courthouse doors to do their business.

"You open the door and he's in," she said. "We can't get up from our desks and take him out 10 times a day."

Boo's owner Sheri Jarvis said she respected the decision, even though she has a tinge of sadness that he'll lose a favorite hangout around town.

"Not everybody loves cats - I respect that," she said. "But he'll miss it."

She added that she would try to keep Boo around the house a little more with extra treats. But she doesn't plan to lock up Boo, who makes his rounds throughout the historic town.

In the end, the popular feline will have to find a new favorite lounging place, Jar-vis said.

"I'll do everything I can to respect that, but I can't leash my cat," she said. "He's a fan of the church (located across the street) and he'll get over it."