BENGALURU: A harmless feline encounter spiralled into a full-blown neighbourhood drama at Sheshadripuram, with police forced to intervene after two families clashed over the “ownership” of four newborn kittens.A senior police officer said it was a tricky situation; a Hoysala police team had a tough time bringing the situation under control.The unusual dispute erupted after a female cat from one house allegedly mated with a tomcat from a neighbouring home, resulting in the birth of four kittens, which became the centre of a heated argument between the two households.Recently, the kittens followed their mother into the house of the family that owned the female cat. The family was unhappy with the cat giving birth to four kittens. The disagreement quickly escalated into a bitter fight over whether the kittens belonged to the female cat’s owner or the tomcat’s owner.The owner of the female cat, along with her daughter, allegedly threw the kittens in front of the neighbour’s house, who owns the male cat, in the early hours Sunday, triggering outrage. Tempers flared, and the argument soon crossed all limits.During the heated exchange, serious allegations surfaced. The female cat’s owner allegedly threatened to carry out an acid attack on the children of the male cat’s owner, prompting the latter to call the 112 police helpline. While the families were busy with their verbal fight, the kittens wandered away. The distressed mother cat was later seen searching for her missing kittens.The Hoysala team from Sheshadripuram police station, after reaching the spot around 7am, defused tensions and counselled both families, bringing the situation under control. Police suggested both families take care of two kittens each. A senior officer said the family of the male cat’s owner wants to file a complaint regarding the acid attack threat.
