Woman arrested for forging rabies certificate to import cats into north Cyprus

A Turkish woman was arrested and appeared in a north Cyprus court on Friday, accused of having forged a rabies certificate to import two cats from abroad.

Police told the Lefkosia district court that the woman named only as Ö.K was arrested at Ercan airport on Wednesday after it was determined that the rabies certificates attached to her cats, both of which are Maine Coons, were fake.

The woman had told the police the certificates had been given to her by her father and a friend in Turkey. She had reportedly also said she intended to sell the cats.

Police said their investigation into the matter had concluded, and that given that the woman is a student in north Cyprus, she can be released on bail.

The judge ordered the woman to pay a 10,000TL bail, and forbade her from leaving the country, ordering that she have all her identity and travel documents confiscated.

In addition, she must report to her local police station once every two weeks and pay a 1 million TL bond to allow her to be tried without arrest.

***A Maine Coon is a large, domesticated cat breed, which originated in the United States state of Maine. It is famed for its size and its dense coat of fur, which helps it survive the harsh winters of the US’ northeast. People often describe it as having “dog-like” characteristics.