Overview

• In June 2024 veterinarians diagnosed Felix, the woman’s cat, with a urinary tract obstruction that required immediate surgery to alleviate severe pain.
• The 29-year-old owner declined treatment because of cost concerns and refused to surrender Felix to a shelter offering free care.
• Felix died in agonizing pain two days after leaving the clinic due to the untreated obstruction.
• The Amtsgericht Augsburg convicted the owner of animal cruelty and imposed 80 daily fines of €35, totaling €2,800.
• The defendant had previously financed a costly operation for Felix in 2020, demonstrating her awareness of the cat’s medical needs.