We all know the stories about the Human Rights Act about the illegal immigrant who cannot be deported because and I am not making this up he had a pet cat.
A tyrant must put on the appearance of uncommon devotion to religion. Subjects are less apprehensive of illegal treatment from a ruler whom they consider god-fearing and pious. On the other hand they do less easily move against him believing that he has the gods on his side.
If cats were double the size they are now they'd probably be illegal.