Cat rescuing isn’t really a core task for first responders, but most will do their best even if it’s outside their job description. Unfortunately for one New York City cop his dedication to his job surpassed his climbing abilities.
This week in Queens, NYPD officer Dane Natto responded to several 911 calls about a cat stuck up in a tree. Natto had set up cones on the ground around the tree, and even let a flare burn, but he was soon surrounded by elementary school students who watched as the cat repeatedly bounded away from Natto, even higher into the tree.
“When the officer went up, the cat moved farther away from the trunk . . . There was no way he could get it,” a witness, Jeff Yu, told the New York Post.
“We looked out the window, and we saw the cop inside the tree — sitting,” said another witness.“[His] partner was laughing at him,” they added.
Natto's partner called for fire department assistance, although the dispatcher reportedly didn't understand what assistance was needed at first.
When the firefighters arrived, “they didn’t go straight to helping him,” a witness said. “They all gathered around and laughed at him. They took their time just crowding around. It seemed the officer was enjoying himself.”
Eventually the firefighters used a ladder to first save the cat – following firefighter code – and then the officer.
