Dr Katherine Theodotou’s case has reached High Court
An award-winning ex-solicitor is suing in a High Court tug-of-war over claims police chopped through her front door with an axe so that the RSPCA could seize her disabled cat.
Dr Katherine Theodotou – a 79-year-old former human rights lawyer of the year – says she was “pushed violently to the ground” during a raid by six cops and two RSPCA officers at her north London home following a report that her cat Rita was being mistreated.
Dr Theodotou, who also founded a Greek school in Islington and runs an animal sanctuary near Hertford, insists she was the victim of a “malicious report” to the RSPCA, leading to a warrant being issued and Rita being seized.
Now she is suing both the RSPCA and the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, asking for an order that her cat be returned by the RSPCA, as well as an award of damages.
Lawyers for the RSPCA told the High Court this week that they had acted in Rita’s “best interests” after receiving a report from vets who had previously treated the cat, indicating that her condition had deteriorated under her owner’s care.
Dr Theodotou’s lawyers however insist that the cat is pampered at home, with her owner “spending large sums of money on keeping her safe and well,” including paying for two private nurses and a personal psychotherapist for her.
The lawyer was born and studied in Cyprus before moving to the UK where, according to her LinkedIn profile, she and her Islington-based law firm Highgate Hill solicitors won a series of awards, including accolades for human rights lawyer of the year and UK female of the year in probate law.
However she was struck off the UK solicitors register in 2022, after she was found to have made “dishonest” statements whilst applying for professional insurance.
She is also the founder and honorary director of the Greek school of Islington and runs an animal sanctuary at Woodcock Lodge Farm, near Hertford.
This week her case reached court, with her lawyers asking for an emergency injunction to ban any move to put Rita down before the full trial of the case can take place.
Liam Wells, for Dr Theodotou, told judge Ms Justice Obi: “This matter concerns a cat named Rita.
“By her claim Dr Theodotou ultimately seeks a mandatory injunction for the return of Rita to her possession.
“She also seeks damages for harassment and or negligence against the RSPCA and damages for assault, battery, trespass and negligence against the Metropolitan Police.
“Dr Theodotou is an individual who is 79 years old. She is a keen animal lover who has promoted animal welfare over the past 30 years.
“She is the rightful owner of Rita, whom she has owned since Rita’s birth some 17 months ago.
“Rita was sadly born disabled and cannot properly move her back legs and by reason of this she suffers from occasional infections in her bladder.
“Dr Theodotou knows Rita to be an intelligent cat and knows that Rita has been steadily learning to walk on all four legs.
“She says that prior to April 2025 Rita was being well cared for by her at her home and Rita received regular medical support from specialist veterinary surgeons paid for by her.”
He went on to explain that Rita was cared for by vets for several months during 2025 before being returned to her owner’s care, after which two RSPCA inspections uncovered no issues.
However, following what Dr Theodotou claims was “a malicious report to the RSPCA regarding the welfare of Rita,” a warrant was obtained by the charity from a magistrates court, giving them power to raid her property with the assistance of the police and seize the disputed cat.
He told the judge: “On 27 March 2026, Dr Theodotou was at the private dwelling at the property with Rita and was recovering from her recent bilateral breast cancer surgery. It was a complete surprise when the RSPCA attended the property accompanied by six officers of the Metropolitan Police.
“Dr Theodotou did not understand the reasons for the attendance of so many uniformed police officers at the property and did not wish to allow them access.
“The officers of the Metropolitan Police proceeded to break down the front door to the property using an axe.
“The officers of both defendants entered the property in all areas, including the Greek school and the private dwelling upstairs.
“Dr Theodotou was seeking to open the door to the private dwelling to avoid the police officers from breaking it down when the police officers pushed her violently to the ground, making forceful contact with her wounded chest.
“The officers of the RSPCA found Rita and removed her from the property against the will of Dr Theodotou. Rita has not been returned to the claimant to date.”
The case came before Ms Justice Obi this week, with lawyers for Dr Theodotou asking for an emergency interim injunction to ward off any danger of her cat being put down before the case comes to trial.
“Rita is amongst the most well cared for cats you could find. My client is spending large sums of money on keeping her safe and well and teaching her to walk again,” said Mr Wells, telling the judge that if the cat were put down “the damage to my client would be irreparable: she will have lost something which can’t be valued in money”.
“Both parties want what is in the best interest of Rita. From my client’s perspective, euthanasia is not in Rita’s best interests,” he concluded.
RSPCA barrister Mark Townsend however told the judge that “when Rita was located and removed from the claimant’s possession on 27 March 2026, her physical examination revealed that her overall condition was ‘extremely concerning and consistent with a significant deterioration since discharge, alongside evidence suggestive of prolonged inadequate hygiene, nursing care, and monitoring within the home environment’.”
He said the cat was put in a veterinary hospital after being removed from her home and that now “Rita is currently doing well. She has flourished once again and has developed a ‘wonderfully loving, cheeky temperament’.”
She has now been placed with foster carers, the court heard, with the RSPCA barrister telling the judge that there are no current plans to put her to sleep.
“Rita’s health conditions are complex, but with the daily care and treatment she is receiving, she is progressing very well, and there is no intention to euthanise her,” he said.
“However, the first and second defendants’ powers to act as they consider to be in her best interests should not be constrained. Ultimately, her interests ought to be elevated above those of the claimant in this context.
“For as long as the first and second defendants are acting with a view to alleviating Rita’s suffering, then the claimant has no place seeking an injunction against the causing of ‘harm’ to Rita.”
Met barrister Rachael Hyde added: “On 27 March 2026, officers…lawfully executed a warrant of entry into the claimant’s property, issued by the Carlisle Magistrates Court, in order for the RSPCA to collect the claimant’s cat due to welfare concerns.
“The second defendant (the Met Police) has no involvement with the cat. It has no knowledge of the cat’s whereabouts and no control over the cat’s welfare.
“Those are entirely matters for the RSPCA. The second defendant’s involvement in the collection of the cat was limited to lawfully executing the search warrant.”
Ruling against Dr Theodotou’s application for an interim injunction banning the cat being put down, Ms Justice Obi said: “I am not satisfied that there is a real or imminent risk of euthanasia.”
She said that although the cat has been placed with a foster carer, Dr Theodotou is still “concerned that she might suffer harm in the defendant’s care.”
“The claimant plainly feels that Rita might be euthanised or otherwise harmed,” she added, but concluded: “there is no evidence that euthanasia or any other irreversible step is being contemplated
“I have come to the conclusion that the claimant has not demonstrated the need for interim injunctive relief,” she said.
The application was adjourned until a magistrates court hearing later this month at which the RSPCA are seeking to take legal possession of Rita.
Dr Theodotou’s case for damages and for the cat to be returned is being pursued in the High Court and will return at a later date, unless the parties can reach an out of court agreement.
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