French Cat Owner Ordered to Pay €100 to Neighbor

A 65-year-old woman from Agde, France, has been ordered to pay €100 to her neighbor because her cat kept trespassing on his property. The Béziers court took the animal's 'well-being' into account in its decision.

The dispute between Dominique Valdès, the owner of the cat Rémi, and her retired neighbor has been a topic in French news for over two years. Rémi was accused of repeatedly going into the neighbor's garden to relieve himself, even inside the house.

Initially, Valdès was ordered to pay €450 and prevent the cat's 'invasions'. Six months later, the neighbor demanded 'payment' of the fines, claiming that the cat continued to jump over the wall.

The judge reduced the penalty to €100, taking into account the owner's difficulty in controlling the cat's behavior without harming its well-being. However, he stressed that the owner has an obligation to stop the cat's trespassing, and the neighbor can take legal action for compensation.