Catnews Archive

BAKERSFIELD, Calif., Dec. 12 (UPI) -- A cat that spent 10 days in a tree in California, moving higher when attempts were made at rescue, finally jumped more than 60 feet, landing safely.

 

Summer Newman of Bakersfield told KERO-TV she first noticed the cat when she heard something crying in the branches of a tall pine tree near her home.

"I saw the branches moving and heard the cat," she said. "There was also a small crowd gathered."

 

Over the next few days, Newman and others tried to lure the cat down with food. Firefighters were summoned twice to rescue people who had become stuck in the tree trying to get to the cat.

 

Newman said when she tried to persuade firefighters to get the cat too, but was told it is a myth that firefighters rescue cats from trees. However, the second time firefighters came to the scene, they gave it a try -- only to have the cat climb to inaccessible branches.

Finally, Kern County Parks and Recreation showed up with a truck equipped with a lift. This time, the frightened cat retreated downward, jumping out of the tree.

The cat tried to get away by climbing another tree and then hid under a car, where Animal Control captured it.