French Rail Giant Fined After Train Kills Passenger’s Cat
A French court has slammed national rail operator SNCF for negligence after a high-speed train ran over a cat at Paris’s Montparnasse station. The shocking incident in January sparked outrage and left Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin stunned.
Cat Named Neko Tragically Killed on Platform
The feline victim, Neko — which means “cat” in Japanese — belonged to passengers Georgia and her 15-year-old daughter Melaina. The pet escaped its travel bag and darted under the train bound for Bordeaux, carrying 800 passengers. Despite frantic pleas from the family and fellow travellers for staff to halt the train and rescue Neko, the crew ignored them. The train departed, fatally injuring the cat.
“I saw my cat being sliced in half,” Melaina told animal rights group 30 Million Friends. Staff allegedly brushed off concerns, claiming it wasn’t their problem and even suggested the cat should have been on a leash.
SNCF Slapped With €1,000 Fine, Ordered To Pay Compensation
SNCF tried to placate the grieving owners with a free ticket to Bordeaux. But animal rights campaigners from the Brigitte Bardot Foundation weren’t having it. They slammed the rail giant, filing a complaint for “serious abuse and cruelty leading to the death of an animal” — which could mean a fine up to €75,000 and five years behind bars.
Despite prosecutors pushing to clear SNCF, the Paris court wasn’t convinced. The company was hit with a €1,000 fine for negligence, ruling the death unintentional. SNCF’s travel agency branch must also pay €1,000 each to Georgia and Melaina.
Government Acts to Stop Animal Abuse at Stations
In the fallout, Interior Minister Darmanin announced that police officers at 4,000 French stations will now get special training to tackle animal trafficking and abuse. It’s a move aimed at preventing another heartbreak like Neko’s tragic death.
