Overview

• The Higher Administrative Court in Münster affirmed Kleve’s prohibition on keeping the Savannah cat named Muffin in a central residential district in an expedited proceeding.
• Under the court’s standard, small animals may be kept in residential zones only if the practice is usual and harmless and remains within typical leisure use for housing.
• The court identified Muffin as a first-generation serval–domestic cat hybrid and pointed to dangerous-animal listings for Savannahs in other German states.
• Owners argued that the breed’s popularity in Germany, including attention from Justin Bieber’s pets, showed customary keeping, which the court rejected.
• The order is final and not subject to appeal, so the owners may not continue housing the animal at their residential property.