Unsurprisingly, this Cat Karen is full of shit.

Cats can walk around wherever they want.

But Im left with greater questions about the intersection between cats and the law.

Can a cat owner be held legally responsible for things their cat does?

Can you be forced to keep your cat inside?

Do cats need licenses?

There are no federal laws specifically aimed at house cats.

Do cats need licenses?

What are you gonna do?

And probably laugh at you.

This leaves felines legally free to do as they will.

They are the gangsters of the domesticated animal kingdom.

For most purposes, cats are considered the personal property of their owners.

But unlike most personal property, cats cant be controlled, which can make things complicated.

Can I be sued if my cat attacks someone?

You will likely be in for a much tougher time if your dog bites someone than your cat.

Dogs arewaymore dangerous than cats.

Only 400,000 cat bites happen annually, accounting for 66,000 hospital visits.

Unlike cats, who are seen as harmless until proven otherwise.

In some states, a dog bite is a strict liability situation.

Most other places in the country dont address injury or damages specifically from cat attacks.

But this doesnt mean aggressive cats are free to attack at will, because other laws apply.

If you knowingly let your dangerous cat outside and it attacks someone, the same could apply.

Am I liable if my cat damages someones property?

They do things like that understanding.

So how could an owner be held responsible?

(This is how cats get away with so many adorable crimes.)

Can you be held responsible if your cat damages a rental property?

The exception to this general guideline: rental properties.