• The court held the cat’s owner responsible after repeated intrusions into the neighbor’s garden
• Initial fine €1,250 with €30 for each future incident

A court in southern France fined a woman €1,250 after her cat was accused of repeatedly entering a neighbor’s garden and causing damage

The court ruled that Dominique Valdès, owner of the ginger cat “Rémi,” was responsible for the disturbances, and imposed an additional €30 fine for every future entry of the cat into the neighbor’s garden

The neighbor claimed the cat left paw prints on wet plaster, urinated on a duvet, and defecated in the garden, while Valdès insisted there was no conclusive evidence, noting that other similar-looking cats roam the area

Following the ruling, Valdès said she had to keep her cat indoors, stating: He has gained weight and become aggressive… it’s like he’s under house arrest

France’s animal welfare organization warned that the case could set a dangerous precedent, with its director Guillaume Sanchez saying such rulings might make people think twice before adopting cats

The case is scheduled to return to court in December to consider additional fines, while residents in Agde described the situation as absurd, adding: Tomorrow this could happen to any of us