In a remarkable turn of events, an Oregon man, Joshua Smith, has secured a substantial $1.375 million verdict after a jury determined that his landlord was responsible for the disappearance of his beloved Cheshire cat, Frank.
The saga began when Smith discovered the stray cat, Frank, in 2017 and welcomed him into his life while residing at a drug recovery residential facility. However, two years later, Frank mysteriously vanished, and Smith became convinced that his landlord was behind the disappearance. In a surprising twist, the landlord confessed to taking the cat and explained that he had given Frank to his girlfriend, who, in turn, was directed to take the feline to a local shelter.
Fueled by his love for Frank and a determination to seek justice, Joshua Smith took legal action. The jury’s decision in this case was nothing short of swift, as they took less than two hours to reach a verdict. Typically, in such situations, the pet owner could only expect to recover the actual value of the missing animal, often amounting to very little. However, it seems the jury’s award of $1.375 million went beyond mere compensation, likely reflecting punitive damages for the landlord’s willful misconduct.
This exceptional outcome stands as a reminder of the profound bond between pet owners and their animal companions and the lengths to which individuals will go to ensure the well-being and safety of their beloved pets.