Firefighters rescue trapped cat in Ettington

FIREFIGHTERS were called to rescue Marlowe the cat yesterday afternoon (Sunday), after he got trapped between the joining of two large fence panels, in Ettington.

Owner Liz Hurst, said that Marlowe's tale began the weekend before: "Last weekend I was visiting a friend in Devon. My neighbours were looking after Marlowe and his little sister Freya, when I got a call to get home quickly, as Marlowe had been in an accident."

It turned out that Marlowe had an injured leg and was limping. He went to the vets, was kept indoors all week, and he was only let outside for the first time on Saturday afternoon, while Liz did some gardening.

Liz said: "He then just vanished on Saturday afternoon, he must have gone exploring. I was frantic as he didn't come home Saturday night - I was calling and calling but there was nothing at all."

Having not slept well on Saturday night, Liz set about making posters on Sunday and visiting her neighbours to ask them to keep a look-out for him.

She had just been to her next door neighbour's house Trevor and Anne, when Marlowe was discovered by their dog, Buffy, who wouldn't stop barking near the fence where Marlowe was trapped.

Liz said that seven-month-old Marlowe was in a very distressed state, trapped underneath two fence panels, in a boxed off section of fencing, which is just six inches apart.

The owner and her neighbours soon realised that Marlowe was completely wedged and they didn't have the tools to set him free safely.

Liz called 999 at 3.38pm, and ten to 15 minutes later, fire crews from Wellesbourne were at the scene. It took the crew 30 minutes to set Marlowe free using hand tools.

Liz, who rescued both cats from Cats Protection, added that she is also an author, and will be writing a range of children's books about a naughty cat.

A Warwickshire Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said: “Unfortunately due to the way the cat was laying, it was difficult to get access to him.

“In order to not distress Marlowe any further, crews used small hand tools to try and limit the noise.”

The spokeswoman explained that once the firefighters gained access, they were able to gently lift him to safety.

She continued: “As the crew were so careful removing the panels, they were able to reconstruct the fence as if they were never there. The cat was released uninjured and returned to a very happy owner.”

The spokeswoman added: “If Marlowe hadn't have been found, he would surely have died. It turns out Buffy not only loves cats, but she took a shine to our firefighters too."