Feline Fury: Cat's Loud Meows Earn Owner $100 Fine on French Train

On August 25th, 2025, a woman in France was fined £100 (€110) after her cat, named Monet, repeatedly meowed loudly on a high-speed train. The incident occurred as the woman, Camille, was traveling with her boyfriend Pierre from Vannes, Brittany to Paris.

According to reports, the white cat was traveling in a pet carrier and had its own ticket, which cost €7 (£6). However, a passenger complained about the cat's meowing, prompting the train conductor to issue the hefty fine to Camille.

The penalty has sparked a heated debate over the allegedly draconian noise rules enforced by the French state rail operator, SNCF. While some have praised the decision to maintain a quiet environment on the trains, critics have argued that the punishment was overly harsh, especially given that Camille was following the rules by having her pet properly contained and ticketed.

Camille expressed her disappointment, stating, "It's a shame that the SNCF allows itself to fine people who are simply traveling with their animals and who are respecting all the rules." The rail operator, however, defended the fine, stating that the cat had caused "acute tensions" on board and that Camille had refused to move to a less crowded coach, which could have been a "simple and common-sense solution" to the issue.