Worthing White Watch Fire Crew Receive PETA Award For Freeing Cat From Car Engine

For Immediate Release:
30 March 2009

Contact:
Sam Glover 020 7357 9229, ext 229; [email protected]

Worthing, West Sussex – For rescuing Napoleon, the cat who became trapped inside a car engine on Byron Road on Wednesday, 4 March, the Worthing White Watch will receive a Hero to Animals Award from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Europe.

According to news reports, the Worthing White Watch were called to Byron Road in Worthing after Napoleon fell from the window of a two-story building and then sought refuge in the engine of a parked Peugeot 206. Napoleon’s guardian, Angela Atkinson, was in the process of moving when she saw Napoleon slip and fall from the windowsill he had been sitting on. When Angela reached the ground floor, she saw that Napoleon was under the car, but as she tried to coax him out, he jumped into the engine and got stuck behind the gearbox.

The fire crew spent three hours tirelessly dismantling the car’s wheels, battery and air filter in order to free Napoleon. He eventually reappeared, a little shaken and oily, and is now recovering at his new home with his relieved guardian. Worthing White Watch will receive a framed certificate and a letter of appreciation from PETA.

“The determination and compassion that the Worthing White Watch showed in freeing this cat makes them community role models”, says PETA Director Robbie LeBlanc. “Napoleon may have used up one of his nine lives, but thanks to this fire crew, he is enjoying his freedom once again – although he may be more careful when sitting on windowsills in the future.”

For more information, please visit PETA.org.uk.