In a housing dispute unusual even by Russian standards, court marshals in the city of Syktyvkar have expelled a cat from a local dormitory where it lived on its own because of its "nasty temper."
The animal, whose name was withheld, belonged to a mother and daughter who used to reside in the dormitory, marshals in the Komi republic said on their web site Wednesday.
The owners removed their belongings from the room in 2009, but did not formally vacate it because they needed to keep the cat there, the statement said.
The cat, which is now 3 years old, could not be relocated because of its "nasty temper," and was given its own room to live in, isolated from other tenants, the unidentified owner was cited as saying.
Dormitory officials eventually complained to court marshals, who, upon arrival, discovered the cat in the company of its owner. Both were promptly expelled.
No information was available on where the cat now resides.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
