Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Feral cat terrorises pensioners for two days in their own home

The animal was eventually removed by a neighbour - but only after he put on motorcycle leathers to protect himself

Ian Johnston
Thursday 03 July 2014 23:58 BST
Comments
The cat terrorised the pensioners for two days
The cat terrorised the pensioners for two days (Getty Images)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Two pensioners were terrorised by a cat for two days after it sneaked into their home, according to a report.

The cat attacked Bruce Gough, 74, a retired aerospace engineer, scratching and biting him, and also urinated and defecated in the house in Canterbury.

He said he and his wife, retired nurse Eileen Gough, 77, were watching television when the cat “suddenly” appeared.

“When I got up, it dashed off into a spare bedroom and I found it hiding under the bed. I tried to coax it out but it wouldn't budge, so I got a broom to ease it out. But when I went to pick it up, it just flew at me and sank its teeth and claws into my forearm,” he told The Daily Telegraph. “It was going berserk and flew around the room, knocking things over, including a Victorian ewer on the mantelpiece, which smashed.”

Mrs Gough said her husband’s arm was “bleeding quite badly” after the attack – he later had a tetanus jab – and one room in the house “now stinks”.

“The cat had clawed its way up curtains and sat on the edge of the sash window, and that's where it was the following morning,” she said.

They contacted the RSPCA, but Mrs Gough said the charity refused to come to take the cat away.

An RSPCA spokesman said: “The RSPCA is an animal welfare charity and our donors expect us to use our limited resources on animals who are suffering or in distress or danger.

“So long as a feral cat is healthy, he or she will live happily outside and so when we are busy we have to prioritise other animals who are in greater need of our help.

“We would advise anyone who finds a feral cat has entered their home to keep a distance and ensure they have a clear and easy exit route - such as an open window or door - so they can make their own way out.”

The cat was eventually removed by a neighbour - but only after he put on motorcycle leathers to protect himself.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in