Award-winning solicitor, 79, sues RSPCA and police for chopping down her front door to 'rescue' disabled cat named Rita

By LIZ HULL, NORTHERN CORRESPONDENT Published: 12:47, 17 July 2026 | Updated: 12:52, 17 July 2026 A former top human rights lawyer is suing the RSPCA and Metropolitan Police after officers chopped down her front door with an axe to seize her disabled cat. Dr Katherine Theodotou, 79, alleged she was 'pushed violently to the ground' in the raid prompted by reports her pet, named Rita, was being mistreated. Two RSPCA inspectors, accompanied by six uniformed officers from the Met, issued Dr Theodotou with a warrant and seized the animal, in March. But the Cypriot-born ex-solicitor denies mistreating 17-month-old Rita and insists she has been the victim of 'malicious reporting'. Contrary to the animal charity's claims, she said she has never neglected Rita, who is 'pampered' at home. She even pays for two private nurses and a physiotherapist to care for her, Dr Theodotou said. She is now suing the RSPCA and Sir Mark Rowley, the Met Commissioner, at London's High Court, demanding compensation and for Rita to be returned. At a hearing this week, Dr Theodotou applied for an emergency injunction banning the RSPCA from putting down her pet cat, who she fears may be euthanised before the case can be heard in full. Liam Wells, for Dr Theodotou, told judge Mrs Justice Margaret Obi: 'This matter concerns a cat named Rita. Dr Katherine Theodotou, 79, pictured outside the Royal Courts of Justice, in London, this week. She is demanding the RSPCA return her beloved pet cat, Rita Rita the cat, who is at the centre of a legal fight between her owner and the RSPCA 'Dr Theodotou 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.' Mr Wells said Dr Theodotou, who also runs an animal sanctuary in Hertfordshire, was 'a keen animal lover' who has 'promoted animal welfare' for 30 years. She is the 'rightful owner of Rita', whom she has owned since birth, the lawyer said. '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,' Mr Wells added. '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.' Mr Wells said that, for a period of a few months from April 2025, however, Rita spent time being cared for at the vet's surgery before being returned to Dr Theodotou. Dr Theodotou is suing the animal charity and the Metropolitan Police for damages over claims they harrassed her and were negligent when they chopped down the front door (pictured) of her home, in Islington, north London, with an axe to seize Rita The 17-month-old moggy, described as 'loving and cheeky,' was born disabled and is learning to walk Two subsequent visits from RSPCA inspectors found no issues with her care. But following reports of concern for Rita's welfare, the RSPCA obtained a warrant for two of their inspectors to raid Dr Theodotou's home, in Islington, north London, on March 27. Accompanied by uniformed officers, they broke down the door and seized Rita. Mr Wells said that, at the time Dr Theodotou was recovering from surgery for breast cancer. '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,' he added. 'The officers of the Metropolitan Police proceeded to break down the front door to the property using an axe. 'Dr Theodotou was seeking to open the door 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 lawyer added: '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. 'The damage to my client would be irreparable (if Rita was put down). She will have lost something which can't be valued in money'. Mark Townsend, for the RSPCA, told the judge that, after being seized, Rita was examined by a vet and found to be in an 'extremely concerning' condition, which suggested she had been left for 'prolonged' periods with 'inadequate hygiene, nursing care, and monitoring within the home environment'. He said since then the cat had flourished and developed a 'wonderfully loving, cheeky temperament'. Mr Townsend said Rita was currently living with foster carers and insisted there was no plan to put her to sleep. Judge Obi refused Dr Theodotou's request for the injunction, saying she was 'not satisfied that there is a real or imminent risk of euthanasia.' The case was adjourned until a magistrates court hearing later this month, at which the RSPCA will seek to take legal possession of Rita. A further hearing will also take place at the High Court at a later date to decide if Dr Theodotou is entitled to damages or if Rita should be returned to her care. Dr Theodotou's law firm, Highgate Hill Solicitors, was previously lauded for winning several awards, including human rights lawyer of the year and UK female of the year in probate law. However, she was struck off the UK solicitors register and banned from practising in 2022, after being found to have made 'dishonest' statements whilst applying for professional insurance.