8-year “cat fight” over four-legged-not-so-fluffy cat
An eight-year court battle sees Eros the cat finally returned home safe to his lawful owner.
An eight-year-long “cat fight” was finally put to rest at the end of July when a local resident’s beloved not-so-fluffy-four-legged friend was finally returned to her.
On 29 July, years of suffering for Alma van Zyl was finally over when the Supreme Court of Appeal confirmed the order of the Pretoria High Court that her Sphynx cat, Vande Balde SoSo Eros, must be returned to her.
This follows an eight-year court battle between Van Zyl and Bernadette Willers of Polokwane over who Eros belongs to.
Eros landed in the care of Willers in 2012 after Van Zyl sought a Sphynx breeder’s help when Eros started acting out of character following a traumatising incident during which the cat got entangled in a plastic shopping bag.
According to Van Zyl’s lawyer, Christel Liebenberg of Salomé le Roux Attorneys, the appeal court judgment brings to an end an emotionally draining time for her client.
Since the legal battle ensued Van Zyl obtained one order after the other for Eros to be returned to her, but Willers fought all the way to the appeal court to determine Eros’ fate.
ALSO READ: WATCH: Can you read these cats’ facial expressions?
According to Liebenberg, after five days of trial in September 2018, judgment was given in her client’s favour ordering the return of Eros to her.
Van Zyl was elated and anxiously awaited the reunion with her “little prince”.
Willers did not accept the ruling and attempted further legal steps to try and keep little Eros.
To Van Zyl it seemed as if time was running out for everyone involved especially for Eros, who celebrated his 10th “human birthday” in November 2019 far away from his real home.
To make matters worse a worldwide pandemic hit. Van Zyl made peace with the fact that in all probability she would never see Eros again.
Liebenberg said her client was overjoyed after receiving the news of the judgment at the end of July because this meant that he is going to return to his home.
ALSO READ: Five cats found beaten to death in the Moot
Arrangements were swiftly made with the help of the sheriff and the SAPS to remove Eros from Willers.
“This was not without resistance, but with the necessary resources and great work by the sheriff, Eros and Alma were finally reunited.”
Eros is doing fine. Liebenberg said he is not in the best condition, but with the loving and caring hand of his lawful mother and owner he will hopefully be in good spirits and himself again soon.
Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites:
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
