The University of Nairobi in Kenya has been sued after a male cat in its possession for treatment vanished. The cat’s owner, Tawhida Yakub, filed a suit against the university seeking compensation. Yakubsaid she had taken Fifi to the College of Veterinary Science at the Kabete campus in Nairobi in December for treatment of wounds and castration – but he subsequently disappeared without trace.
In papers lodged at the Milimani Resident Magistrate’s court in Nairobi, Yakub said Fifi had been admitted to the clinic on 19 December and received by a Dr Bundi. Three days later, she alleged, she received a telephone call from Bundi, who said the cat had escaped while it was being removed from the cage in readiness for surgery.
The complainant said Fifi was a close companion and she had been deprived of his company, love and sentimental attachment. Yakub further stated she had suffered substantial loss and damages because Fifi had undergone training to obey commands and directions.
She blamed the university management for “negligence and carelessness” while handling the cat. According to her, the cat felt insecure after being placed in a room occupied by many dogs. She said the management should have kept Fifi in a room from which he could not escape and sedated him before attempting to remove him from the cage for surgery.
She asked the court to hold the university responsible and to order the institution to pay her damages and the costs of the suit.
Through its lawyers, the University of Nairobi admitted that Fifi disappeared while in its employees’ hands but denied the negligence and carelessness accusations. It asked for the case to be dismissed.
The hearing continues.
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