Cat owner sues RSPCA and police for £500k in bid to see pet’s body one last time

Cat owner sues RSPCA and police for £500k in bid to see pet’s body one last time The case took an unexpected turn in July after it emerged that Rita had died in RSPCA foster care - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in A former lawyer is suing the RSPCA and Met Police for £500,000 after her front door was smashed down to seize her "beloved" cat and has begged a judge to let her to see her pet's body one last time. Dr Katherine Theodotou, 79, launched her "extraordinary" claim after cops smashed into her London home and seized her 17-month-old black and white cat Rita in March, following a report that she was being mistreated. The former solicitor, who also runs an animal sanctuary near Hertford, insists she was the victim of a "malicious report" to the RSPCA, leading to a warrant being issued and Rita taken away. The case took an unexpected turn in July after it emerged that Rita had died in RSPCA foster care, with the case then branching out into a fight over her body. Yesterday top judge Mr Justice Cotter - having heard that the lawyer is claiming £500,000 compensation - urged the RSPCA to agree to Dr Theodotou seeing Rita's body one last time before an autopsy to investigate the cause of her death is carried out. "I think that should be facilitated....All she wants to do is see her cat," the judge said. He also urged the charity and the cat owner to try to settle the case without wasting more money on an expensive trial, saying: "I want some cooperation. It is very unfortunate we are where we are. "It's remarkable from an objective perspective that a claimant who loves and cares for animals and a charity designed to ensure the welfare of animals find themselves in this position. "If this matter progresses, a very large amount of money will be spent. I would urge the parties to try and see if some sort of resolution can be reached." Dr Theodotou was born and studied in Cyprus before moving to the UK where, according to her LinkedIn profile, she and her Islington-based law firm Highgate Hill solicitors won a series of awards, including accolades for human rights lawyer of the year and UK female of the year in probate law. However she was struck off the UK solicitors register in 2022, after she was found to have made "dishonest" statements while applying for professional insurance. She is also the founder and honorary director of the Greek school of Islington and runs an animal sanctuary at Woodcock Lodge Farm, near Hertford. An earlier hearing heard that Rita was born disabled and could not properly move her back legs and by reason of this suffered from occasional infections in her bladder. Dr Theodotou insists that Rita was being well-cared for at her home, receiving regular medical support and steadily learning to walk on all four legs. However, following what she claims was "a malicious report to the RSPCA regarding the welfare of Rita," a warrant was obtained by the charity from a magistrates court, giving them power to raid her property with police and seize the disputed cat. Her barrister, Liam Wells, said Dr Theodotou was at home recovering from recent breast cancer surgery when the RSPCA suddenly attended her home with officers from the Met Police. The cops then "proceeded to break down the front door," with Dr Theodotou being "pushed her violently to the ground" in the commotion. The case reached court in July when, fearing for Rita's safety, Dr Theodotou applied for an injunction preventing the charity from putting her down, with the RSPCA insisting it had no plans to do so. The injunction was refused, but just two days before the fight over ownership of the cat was set to go before magistrates, Dr Theodotou was informed that Rita had suddenly died in RSPCA foster care, with the battle over her ownership turning into a squabble over her remains. Mr Justice Kimblin in July made an order that a post-mortem be carried out jointly between an RSPCA vet and an independent one chosen by Dr Theodotou. However, with the RSPCA struggling to find a vet willing to do a joint post-mortem, the case came back to court yesterday as the charity asked to be allowed to carry out the examination with the independent vet simply observing. Dr Theodotou made her own application to vary the previous order, asking the judge to make an order that she be able to see Rita one last time before the examination is carried out. Her barrister, Mr Wells said: "She is very keen in relation to seeing the remains of Rita," before telling the judge, "The underlying claim is seeking £500,000 in damages." Giving judgment, Mr Justice Cotter said: "This is an extraordinary tale so far, but at the end of it, the claimant, whatever the rights and wrongs of the actions, wants to see her cat before it is the subject of the post-mortem. "I think that should be facilitated. That's my view and I would like to see some cooperation." He added: "All she wants to do is see her cat." The judge varied the post-mortem order so that the examination can be carried out at Liverpool University, with Dr Theodotou's chosen doctor present. After that, Rita's remains are to be preserved to give Dr Theodotou a week to decide whether to come back to court and ask for permission to carry out a second post-mortem. Although he did not make an order compelling the RSPCA to let Dr Theodotou see her cat before the examination, he urged "cooperation" and negotiation to avoid a costly court trial. The court heard Dr Theodotou's damages claim - for harassment and negligence against the RSPCA and assault, battery, trespass and negligence against the Met Police - relates to the seizure of Rita, not her death. RSPCA lawyers previously said that, when seen after the March seizure, Rita was showing signs of being in an "extremely concerning" condition, suggestive of "prolonged inadequate hygiene, nursing care, and monitoring within the home environment." The Met said police had attended the house and "lawfully executed a warrant of entry" to collect the cat due to "welfare concerns," with cops having no further involvement. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments