Posted on 09/26/2015 6:19:21 PM PDT by nickcarraway
A Berlin court has ordered a cat owner to have her hairless Sphynx cat castrated – because it would be animal cruelty to let the naked pet breed.
Willi, a Canadian Sphynx, belongs to Berlin cat breeder Jacqueline Linke.
True to his breed, Willi is almost completely hairless – a quality that makes Sphynx cats popular choices for those with pet allergies.
Despite his questionable appearance, Willi emerged as champion in the 2013 Pedigree Cat Exhibition in Berlin, and has gone on to become a proud father to three naked kittens.
However, Willi won't get to pass on his genes to any further offspring.
On Wednesday, the Administrative Court in Berlin ruled that Willi's lack of whiskers meant that breeding him would violate the 2013 Animal Protection Act.
"These 'naked cats' have no whiskers, which normal cats use to orient themselves in the dark," Margaret Ronneberger, head of cat breeders' society Felidae, told Berliner Kurier.
This lack of whiskers would be passed on to any offspring - which the court decided was tantamount to animal cruelty.
So to prevent the cat fathering any more kittens, authorities have asked Linke to have Willi castrated.
This is the first time a court has made a decision of this kind, said Judge Christian Oestmann.
Despite admitting that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder," the judge's verdict was clear: the Animal Protection Act forbids the breeding of any animal missing a species-specific feature, the lack of which could case pain, suffering or harm.
The decision is open to appeal – and with Linke planning to continue her fight for Willi's virility, the case could even reach the Federal Administrative Court.
Willi isn't the only naked cat currently taking up residence with the 41-year-old Berliner.
Enola, Rumba and Sadira – "the girls" – are also almost completely hairless. "They're so cuddly, and child-friendly," Linke said.
"Willi is part of the family," she argued, adding that naked cats are "very people-orientated, and intelligent".
Looks kinda like Gollum.
Declare the cat a Muslim. The German courts would see this case differently.
Was just thinking that...... With the crapstorm that is assaulting Germany, which if not pushed back will result in the obliteration of their language, religion and culture, they focus on THIS? THIS? Talk about going away with a whimper and not a bang.....sheesh!
Seriously????
There is just so much wrong with this that I don’t even know where to begin. It’s ludicrous. And what business of any court is the breed of cat a breeder chooses to breed?
I hope the cat’s owner continues to fight this. A breed of cat should not be made extinct just because a judge doesn’t like it.
Personally, I think sphinx cats are adorable. I’d love to get one, if not for the price tag and the fact that I have too many cats as it is.
Idiocy!
That calls for a what-has-been-seen!
Take away their hair and do ALL cats look so ugly?
Eugenics for cats.
Give me a break! I get by just fine without whiskers.
Yes but have you had your compulsory vasectomy?
Meeeyowwwwl!
Our Sphynx cats are 12 years old now. The one in the photo looks exactly like our male cat. They are the most curious and sweet dispositioned cats we’ve ever owned. We also have a cross-breed (bought at a much earlier time) who will be 15 years old on Christmas eve.
I thought they always looked nasty and creepy myself. But I sure as hell would not presume to tell others (that claim they are wonderful pets and adore the ones they own) that they can’t have one or that a prize winning one could not breed...
Looks like the one Denzel shot with a crossbow. Got a hot meal and some dandy cat grease for soothing chapped lips
Pretty much
May I respectfully request that Judge Christian Oestmann be involuntarily castrated so he doesn’t pass on idiot genes (clearly human abuse) to any offspring.
I agree. lol
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