Cat rescued from tree (From Worcester News)

Cat rescued from tree

6:02pm Tuesday 13th March 2007 in News By Claire Fry, @clairefryWN #WENews

A CAT which spent almost four days stuck up a tree in Worcester has been rescued safe and well by firemen.

Eight-month-old Spikey went up an ash tree close to its home in Berkeley Heywood, Warndon Villages on Saturday and despite numerous attempts by its owners refused to budge.Owners Tony and Jane Smith tried phoning the RSPCA, but were told to sit and wait because they had never seen a dead cat stuck up a tree.

"That wasn't very helpful," said Mr Smith, a policeman in Birmingham. "We were very upset about it all. We could hear it crying at night time and I think some of the neighbours have called them too about it."

Mr and Mrs Smith were advised to keep putting out strong-smelling food, but when that was eaten by other cats and dogs the RSPCA today agreed to call Herefordshire and Worcestershrie Fire and Rescue Service.

A spokesman for the charity said they did not like to launch rescue operations, because often cats just went higher up if they thought they were being pursued.

"Cats can go for a very long time up trees," he said. "But we do help if its felt that the cat is in danger and then we will call the fire brigade."

The spokesman added the comment about not seeing a dead cat stuck up a tree would have been meant to reassure the couple in a lighthearted way.

A spokesman for the fire brigade said they only rescued cats from trees if asked to do so by the RSPCA.