Some people call Istanbul, Turkey, “Catstanbul.” That’s because there’s an enormous number of feral cats that roam the city.

And while we certainly wish it weren’t a problem (and feel bad for the cats), we have to admit that being greeted by a furry creature eager for affection might be nice.

Well, unless it’s this one cat. Then you’re pretty much doomed.

Hello, I hate you

Over 9 million people have watched a video of a black and white cat that’s famous in one Turkish neighborhood for lashing out at pedestrians – quite literally – when it feels even mildly annoyed (or playful?).

In it, the cat sits idly by waiting for an unsuspecting passerby then takes a swipe at their ankles. And while they’re surprised when the claws come out, no one seems that concerned about the cat attack. A few people swear, but most people just keep moving.

Maybe the cat just wants a little attention!

A city of cats

Jodi Ettenberg traveled to Turkey recently and while she didn’t encounter the cat in question, a blog she wrote on her trip illustrated just how common cats are in Turkey.

“Many were well-fed and clean, and almost all were affectionate. To be sure, the cats slimmed down and dirtied-up when I walked outside the busier zones of the city into the immigrant areas – parts of Fatih, for example. In those laundry-strewn, narrow streets the cats were more feral, more hungry and certainly less curious. But one constant remained: there were cats everywhere.”

Honor thy cat

Ettenberg wondered just how there could be so many feral cats, and her research led her to some sad truths.

“The New York Times estimates that in Istanbul alone, a megacity of 15 million people, there are thought to be 130,000 dogs and 125,000 cats roaming free,” she wrote.

Cats are honored in the Muslim world, but that really just means that outright cruelty is largely out of the question. But it seems that like many countries (like Greece, for example), the acceptance of a feral cat population means that there are few people trying to actively solve the problem.

Instead, people care for the cats, but it seems that spaying and neutering is far less common.

Cats abound

Unfortunately, feral cats are mistreated in some places, and cat fights are common. Not all of the cats are well cared for, though there are laws in Turkey forbidding mistreatment of the animals.

Perhaps that’s why some of them have anger issues.

Our black and white cat, for example. He’s clearly pretty angry at humans – we’re just not sure about what.

Lashing out

Alas, it’s hard not to laugh a little at the cat in the video. He’s gone full honey badger on just about everyone that passes by. And he even has some strategies to beget maximum violence.

“I like how he changes the locations to improve his strategy,” said one commenter.

But not everyone was a victim. Clearly, some thought went into who to attack.

“I like how the one person walked by and the cat did nothing; like the cat thought ‘You… you’re okay…,'” joked another viewer.

Of course, some people were saddened at what they interpreted as a cry for help or attention. And we have to admit that we would have stopped to help. But we’re not sure if we’d be rewarded in purrs or puncture wounds.

Be sure to scroll down below to see the fierce pedestrian-swiper for yourself.

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Source: YouTube – RM Videos, Legal Nomads