A SOLICITOR whose disabled cat was seized by cops chopping down her front door has now claimed the pet died in “mysterious circumstances”.
Dr Katherine Theodotou said she was “pushed violently to the ground” during a raid by six cops and two RSPCA officers.
Rita, pictured with her nurses, was at the centre of the High Court row Credit: Champion News Service
Dr Katherine Theotodou claims officers chopped her door down with an axe Credit: Champion News Service
Her cat Rita was taken away from the home in North London following a report she was being mistreated.
Dr Theodotou – former human rights lawyer of the year – insists she was the victim of a “malicious report” to the RSPCA.
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The 79-year-old 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.
She unsuccessfully applied for an injunction preventing the charity from putting her down, with the RSPCA insisting it had no plans to do so.
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But just two days before the fight over ownership of the cat was set to go before magistrates, Dr Theodotou was informed that Rita had suddenly died in RSPCA foster care.
A fresh battle erupted over her remains – with Dr Theodotou seeking the return of Rita’s body so that she can have a post-mortem investigation carried out.
The RSPCA fought back and refused to hand over the remains because they want their own autopsy done.
Mr Justice Kimblin made an order for a jointly conducted post-mortem involving both a RSPCA vet and an independent one chosen by Dr Theodotou.
Dr Katherine Theotodou had battled to get her cat back Credit: Champion News Service
Rita was placed in foster care but has since died Credit: Champion News Service
The High Court was told Rita was born disabled and could not properly move her back legs – meaning she suffered from occasional infections in her bladder.
Dr Theodotou claimed she pampered Rita and spent large sums of money keeping her “safe and well” – including paying for two private nurses and a personal physiotherapist.
Her solicitor Liam Wells said: “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.”
The court heard Rita had been 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.
But following the alleged “malicious report” to the RSPCA over the cat’s welfare, a warrant was obtained that gave officers permission to raid Dr Theodotou’s home and seize Rita.
Mr Wells said: “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 court was told Dr Theodotou had gone to open the door but was “pushed violently to the ground, making forceful contact with her wounded chest”.
Rita was then removed from the property – with Dr Theodotou demanding an emergency interim injunction to ward off any danger of her cat being put down before the case went to trial.
But RSPCA barrister Mark Townsend told the judge that when Rita was seized, a physical exam revealed her overall condition was “extremely concerning and consistent with a significant deterioration since discharge”.
He claimed there was evidence that suggested “prolonged inadequate hygiene, nursing care, and monitoring within the home environment”.
Mr Townsend said previously the cat was put in a veterinary hospital and “is currently doing well” with foster carers.
Dr Theodotou was struck off the UK solicitors register in 2022 after she was found to have made “dishonest” statements while 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.
The former solicitor sought damages for harassment and or negligence against the RSPCA and damages for assault, battery, trespass and negligence against the Metropolitan Police.
