When Kitten Care Became a Police Matter
Bengaluru: We have heard of police mediating civil, domestic or minor criminal disputes, acting as neutral third parties. But things went beyond humanitarian issues when the Seshadripuram police stepped in and had to resolve the controversial issue of parentage and custody of four kittens!
Long story short, the neighbor’s male cat ‘allegedly’ impregnated the female cat and eventually gave birth to four kittens. The owner of the female cat, who now took care of the four furry trunks, brought them to the owner of the male cat and asked him to take responsibility since his cat was the father.
This escalated into a huge disagreement, followed by a heated argument involving the paternity issue over whether their cat was actually the father, and then a few preferential abuses between pet parents. During the ensuing fight, the female cat owner was said to have thrown one of the kittens to the ground in the presence of the pet parents, the kittens and their parents.
Local animal activists who observed the conflict immediately called the City Police to the scene.
Taking on the role of “Panchayat” mediator, they listened to both sides and decided to end the matter. The team decided to surrender the kittens to a third party; This would ensure that none of the pet parents would be subjected to having to care for the animals. Neighbors said timely police intervention prevented the situation from escalating, restored peace in the neighborhood and ensured the kittens found a happy home.
