Chinese Court Orders Man to Pay $33,000 After Badminton Player Paralyzed Tripping on Cat He Fed

A court in Shanghai, China has ordered a man to pay 240,000 yuan (US$33,000) in compensation to a badminton player who was paralyzed after tripping over a stray cat the man regularly fed at a badminton stadium. The court deemed the man, surnamed Xiao, to be the cat's keeper and thus responsible for the injuries suffered by the player, identified as Wu.

The incident occurred when Wu tripped over the cat that had wandered onto the court during a game. He suffered serious injuries that left him paralyzed. Xiao, an employee at the stadium, routinely fed and cared for the stray cat. Despite arguing that he did not keep the animal as a pet, the court ruled that as the cat's keeper, Xiao bears responsibility for the harm caused to others by the feline.

Why this matters: The case highlights the legal liabilities that can arise from caring for stray animals, even in an informal capacity. It also underscores the importance of maintaining safe conditions in sports facilities to prevent accidents and injuries to players.

Under the court's judgment, Xiao must pay the majority of the 240,000 yuan in compensation to Wu. If he fails to complete the payments, the owner of the badminton stadium will be required to cover the remaining amount. The ruling has generated debate on Chinese social media, with some users supporting the verdict while others question whether the stadium management should shoulder more of the responsibility for the accident that occurred on their premises.

The case serves as a cautionary tale for individuals who choose to feed and care for stray animals. It demonstrates that even without formally adopting a stray, a person can still be held liable as a "keeper" if the animal causes harm to others. The substantial compensation amount ordered by the court also reflects the severity of the injuries suffered by the badminton player and the life-altering consequences of the incident.

Key Takeaways

• Chinese court orders man to pay $33,000 for injuries caused by stray cat he fed.
• Badminton player paralyzed after tripping over cat during game, court deems man as cat's keeper.
• Case highlights legal liabilities of informally caring for stray animals, importance of safe sports facilities.
• If man fails to pay, stadium owner must cover remaining compensation amount.
• Case serves as warning that caring for strays can incur liability, even without formal adoption.