In a surprising turn of events, a Moscow library has removed its long-time resident cat following a written complaint from a library visitor, as reported on Monday.
Markiz, a black-and-white cat with luxurious long hair, had been a fixture at the library in the Strogino district of northwestern Moscow for eight years. However, he was recently sent to a foster home after a pensioner named Igor Pochkin wrote a letter of denunciation to the library’s management. Pochkin expressed concerns that the cat’s presence posed a “dangerous epidemiological environment.”
Library employees revealed that Pochkin had been a regular visitor to the library for eight years, often with his laptop. They described him as “very confrontational towards everyone, even kids are afraid of him,” and noted that he had a history of filing complaints against library staff.
Despite Markiz having all the necessary medical documents and being up-to-date on vaccinations, the librarians responsible for his care felt compelled to part with the feline companion.
Vladimir Burmatov, the head of the State Duma’s Environmental Committee, defended Markiz, highlighting that there are no specific rules against keeping cats in libraries. He mentioned examples of cats living in public dining establishments without issue, according to news.ru.
A petition in support of Markiz’s return has garnered over 150 signatures from library visitors, reflecting the community’s strong attachment to the cat.
This incident comes in the wake of heightened sensitivity regarding animal welfare in Russia, following the tragic death of a pet cat named Twix, who was thrown from a train earlier this month. In response, the head of Russia’s Investigative Committee initiated an investigation into the incident, stirring discussions about the treatment of animals in the country.
