[CAT] "Sal the Cat summoned for jury service... and court rules he 'must attend'"

[rfmcdonald]

The Daily Mail, sketchy tabloid that it may be, can carry some amusing articles

A pet cat has been summoned for jury duty - and has been told by courts he 'must attend'

Despite owner Anna Esposito's protestations that a mistake has been made, a jury commissioner has ruled that Sal must attend the court.

She wrote that Sal was 'unable to speak and understand English' - and included a letter from her vet saying that the animal was a 'domestic short-haired neutered feline'.

Bizarrely, the court ruled the animal must report to the courtroom. If the matter is not resolved he will have to report to Suffolk Superior Crown Court in Boston, U.S. on March 23.
Anna wrote her Sal's name under 'pets' on the last census - she crossed out 'dogs' and said he was a cat.

She said: 'When they ask him guilty or not guilty? What's he supposed to say - miaow?

Case closed? Sal's details were recorded when there was a Boston state census - and he appears to have been mistakenly identified as a human when the forms were processed
Husband Guy added: 'I said, Sal, what's this? I was shocked. He likes to sit on my knee and watch crime shows with me but even so he's still under qualified for jury duty if you ask me.'

There are ten statutory disqualifications preventing people from serving on a jury - and Mrs Esposito said Sal was not suitable because he could not understand the language.
However, jurors are 'not expected' to have a perfect command of the English language.

The other exemptions did not apply because Sal was not ill, too old or a convicted felon.

Myself, I think that cats might well bring something to juries. Certainly they're quick to judge, and have excellent reflexes besides being able to read human body language reasonably well. Just, as Scott said over at Facebook, keep the laser pointers and treats away.