Do cats have free-speech rights?
In May 1981, Carl and Elaine Miles, an otherwise unemployed couple, began exhibiting Blackie the Talking Cat on the streets of Augusta, Georgia. Blackie would meow “I love you” or “I want my Mama” to passers-by, who would give small change to the Mileses. About a month later, police warned the couple that they risked jail time if they did not obtain a $50 business license. The Mileses purchased the license but sued the city in federal court on grounds that the city’s licensing law was vague and too broad and violated their right to free speech and association. Specifically, the plaintiffs complained that neither the city charter, which allowed the city council to require a license for any “occupation, trade or business,” nor the license ordinance mentioned talking animals.
