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Kitten custody issue sparks catfight between Bengaluru neighbours, cops step in to settle dispute
A dispute involving pet cats escalated into a full-blown ‘catfight’ between neighbours in Bengaluru, eventually forcing cops to step in to restore the peace.
A dispute involving pet cats escalated into a full-blown ‘catfight’ between neighbours in Bengaluru, eventually forcing Bengaluru Police to step in to restore the peace.
The ‘cat-astrophe’
The unusual argument between neighbours in Seshadripuram, Bengaluru began when a resident’s male pet cat allegedly impregnated a neighbour’s female cat.
According to a Deccan Herald report, the female cat delivered four kittens. However, the owner of the female cat was unhappy with the birth of the kittens.
Trouble began when the female cat’s owner took the four kittens to the doorstep of the male cat’s owner. The agitated resident demanded that the male cat’s owner should take full responsibility for looking after the four kittens. “Since your cat is the father, you must raise these kittens yourselves,” they said.
Argument escalates
The owner of the female cat, along with her daughter, allegedly threw the kittens in front of their neighbour’s house on Sunday morning. The argument escalated, with both sides trading insults and heated words.
Meanwhile, the kittens became distressed. Soon, neighbours became involved in the quarrel as both sides refused to back down.
(Also read: Bengaluru woman claims husband cares for pet cat more than her, moves court: Report)
According to a Times of India report, the female cat’s owner threatened to carry out an acid attack on their neighbour’s child. This promoted the male cat’s owner to call 112 and involve the police.
The Hoysala team from Sheshadripuram police station reached the spot around 7 am on Sunday morning and managed to defuse the situation. Cops counselled both sides and suggested that each family take care of two kittens.
Police also warned both sides against escalating minor issues.
Spaying and neutering cats
It is not clear why neither side had spayed or neutered their pet cat.
Spaying ( in females) and neutering (in males) is crucial for improving a cat's health, longevity, and behaviour while controlling the stray cat population. According to the Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, sterilization provides important health benefits while ensuring that unplanned litters don’t overwhelm human communities.
The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) mandates the sterilization and vaccination of stray cats to control their population.
According to AWBI, it is “necessary to acknowledge the growing need for humane population control of free-roaming and community cats. Free-roaming cats, like street dogs, are an integral part of urban and rural ecosystems, however, their population often goes unmanaged, leading to overpopulation, public health concerns, and welfare issues for the cats themselves.”
(Also read: Cats fight each other on live TV, their journalist mom tries hard to steal focus)
