A Buddhist bank robber has had his request for his cat to have visiting rights to him in jail turned down by a court – despite his plea that it is the reincarnation of his mother.
Peter Keonig, 46, is serving five-years for armed robberies in Whirl, Germany.
He went to court this week demanding the right for his cat Gisela to be allowed to visit him in jail “because she is my dead mum”.
Buddhists believe that people come back as other animals after death. He said: “I know it is mummy. She looks after me just the way she did. I need to see her like other prisoners see their wives and children.”
But the court turned him down. “While we respect the religious freedom of individuals, the accused has not been able to furnish proof that his deceased mother has been reborn in a cat. Therefore, the request for visiting rights for the feline is rejected.”
The court did say he would be allowed to write to the cat.
If you are reincarnated as an animal, are you born again with previous memories and skills (like reading). If not, I wouldn’t bother writing to hos cat.
What is a Buddhist doing robbing a bank anyway? That’s probably not the most direct route to Nirvana.
his cat ^
…Assuming the cat can read.
Aww, thats well sad!
if the court members suddenly die and it becomes apparent that people do in fact reicarnate after death i hope they feel really really bad!!
Hahaha awww bless! That is so cute, I can just imagine the cat reading the letters he sends her!!
And this man was surprised the court said no?!? It may be his religion but PLEASE!
Haha this amused me
He said: “I know it is mummy. She looks after me just the way she did”
I dont think the cat did a great job of looking after him since he’s in a german jail.
if i ever got sent to jail (which is hopefully very unlikely) i’d love my cat to be able to visit. as far as i know he isn’t the reincarnation of any dead relatives but i bet he could smuggle me lots of goodies in. he’s a very clever cat
but isn’t there an advert for catfood that says that cats can’t read…?
A contravention of the second precept and a complete misunderstanding of Buddhist rebirth…Good job Peter Keonig:D
Aww, a shame!
Cats are just as important as people, regardless of whether or not they are a reincarnation of anything.
CATS CAN’T READ.
Bless that kitty – she does have a very human expression on her face! BTW, any Red Dwarf devotees know that cats DO read – just in a slightly different way to us!
‘A Buddhist bank robber has had his request for his cat to have visiting rights to him in jail turned down by a court – despite his plea that it is the reincarnation of his mother.’
“While we respect the religious freedom of individuals, the accused has not been able to furnish proof that his deceased mother has been reborn in a cat.”
‘The court did say he would be allowed to write to the cat.’
What the hell is going on?!
Tons of people start misusing certain structures as this guy. Not from a real belief. The judge gave the correct answer.
I’d be a little suspicious about any odd news story from Germany.. for some reason, that seems to be the news-hoaxers country of choice.
For example, Lucky the killer guide dog http://www.snopes.com/critters/malice/lucky.asp
Prisoners get everything these days, why not cats. They can curl up with them in front of their tv sets in warm, free, comfort while they mastermind their next diabolical scheme in true supervillain style.
All it would take is this one small change of the rules and I’d break the law myself so I could have a warm luxurious winter. Sadly I can’t atm because it would be unfair on my cat so I’ll just have to freeze
@ Mary B: YAY!!!
They read through scent! … “see, Spot, run”. (isn’t it sad that reading your comment actually made me a little excited, lol)
“How ma lookin…”
I think that this story is rather odd to be honest.
Would a true buddhist rob a bank?
Would a court really expect proof of his claims?
Would they really take the apparent p*ss, to make such a comment about writing to his cat?
I mean, come on. It has no opposable thumbs…. how the hell is it going to even get the envelope open?
Pax, amor et concordia.
x
Ah, hang on… unless of course this guy became a buddhist in Jail.
I seem to remember a story a while back about buddhism being taught in prisons?
Hmmm. Who knows
Pax, amor et concordia.
x
I think the cats first thought is more likely to be ‘damn, who’s going to feed me now’ rather than ‘I hope he writes to me’. Even if it is his mother.
i lol’d so hard at the last line
I love cats
maybe the telegraph got it slighty wrong and it turns out his cat is actually a lion!!
Aw, feel sorry for the pussy.
@ Mr Woolf – if you don’t think cats can open envelopes you apparently haven’t experienced them stripping your wallpaper off from ceiling to floor – makes you SO popular with the landlord!
Glad my mention of Red Dwarf gave you a frisson!
@ Mary B:
Ok maybe they could open it then, but with any precision?
I love the way cats will do something like that and then look at you as if to say:
“What’s your problem? I noticed it had a bit loose so thought I’d help ya out…. Now feed me.”
Pax, amor et concordia.
x