A COUPLE have been put by way of a six-month court docket ordeal — over claims their cat’s a bully.
Joe Skinner, 72, and spouse Hilda, 73, have been sued by a neighbour, who alleged their pet Lily attacked her moggies and in addition scratched her on the hand.
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But the weird civil case began by Saria Akhter, 47, was thrown out of Glasgow’s Justice of the Peace Court when a lawman agreed Lily’s behaviour was regular.
Retired nurse Joe, 72, mentioned: “The whole thing was nuts – we were taken to court because our cat behaves like a cat.”
He instructed how he needed to get his cat analysed by a pet psychiatrist — to show she wasn’t terrorising his neighbour.
The couple confronted a civil declare for damages from Ms Akhter who lives subsequent door to them in Cambuslang, close to Glasgow.
She alleged Lily repeatedly attacked her two moggies, Coco and Honey, and even left her with cuts to her hand that required hospital remedy.
But the case was thrown out after seven hearings.
Joe, who represented each himself and his pet Lily in court docket, mentioned: “It was nuts.
“We don’t wish to fall out with our neighbours however there was no manner we might simply let this slide.
“Lily is the nicest wee cat and we have been terrified that she was going to be taken away or we might be banned from having pets.”
Ms Akhter started moaning to the Skinners through WhatsApp messages final November.
She then complained to South Lanarkshire Council however they declined to intervene.
After that, the neighbour took her case to Glasgow Justice of the Peace Court, alleging she needed to take her pets out on leads for concern of Lily hanging.
Joe was instructed it could cost as much as £20,000 to rent a lawyer, so he determined to go it alone.
He and Hilda spent almost £450 printing paperwork for the trial.
And they forked out £350 for the report on their eight-year-old calico from a feline behaviour specialist at Scots-based agency Cat-astrophes.
It mentioned Lily was a standard cat and it was “highly unlikely” she would have launched an unprovoked attack on Ms Akhter.
The professional added: “I do not think that Lily’s behaviour, and the conflict between the cats, exceeds what’s considered natural and normal feline behaviour.”
Justice Andrew Price mentioned the proof “demonstrated normal cat territorial behaviour”.
In his ruling, which dismissed Ms Akhter’s damages declare, he acknowledged “photographs of injuries showed only slight scratches of a minor nature”.
Last evening Joe, a semi-retired paediatric nurse, admitted he was relieved however added: “It was actually arduous on my spouse having to go to court docket all these instances.
“The worst half was seeing her wrestle, — it actually took a toll on her psychological well being.
“There isn’t any cost you may put to the affect this had on her.
“We feel this was blown way out of proportion and wasted a lot of time and money.”
The couple adopted Lily in January final 12 months.
Joe mentioned: “We have been genuinely involved we might lose her.
“But we’re not vindictive individuals.
“We might’ve had a chat and sorted issues.
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“Going to court docket was the incorrect selection.”
Ms Akhter declined to remark.
How the row unfolded
NOVEMBER 2022: Lily is accused by Ms Akhter of assaults over earlier eight months.
JANUARY 2023: Council nameed in bid to mediate.
JANUARY: Letter despatched from Ms Akhter stating intention to lift court docket proceedings.
MARCH: Environmental Health say they won’t take motion.
MARCH: Glasgow JP Court assigns date for listening to.
MAY 12: Court date.
JUNE 15: Court date.
JULY 20: Court date.
JULY 25: Court date.
AUGUST 28: Court date.
SEPTEMBER 20: Court date.
OCTOBER 16: Judgement issued.
