Cat Stuck In Engine Gets 2-Mile Tour Of New York City

NEW YORK (AP) — A cat who rode two miles through New York City while stuck in the engine compartment of an SUV has lived to meow about it.

Wilfred Rodriguez heard rattling while he was driving Monday in the Bronx. After he parked, he spotted a bushy tail and a paw sticking out of the SUV's front end.

His initial reaction: "Oh my God! I killed a cat." He was relieved when the paw moved.

Detectives with the New York Police Department's Emergency Service Unit freed the grease-covered kitty by removing the SUV's battery and other vehicle parts.

Richard Gentles of New York City Animal Care & Control says the tan-and-white stray appears to be in good physical shape.

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Information from: Daily News, http://www.nydailynews.com

Comments

[LMPE]

I'd sure like a free tour of New York.

[judiNJ]

This kitty will find a wonderful home now. Once an animal shows up in any NY media, tons of people want to adopt. New Yorkers LOVE their pets. He is a pretty lucky little fur person!

[Moderatenation]

Got up one cool morning, (not cold, as where I live we are still getting days in the 90's), and I started my new truck and immediately heard a very rapid thumping noise. I immediately shut off the engine, realizing it was probably one of our two cats. It was. I saw it run out from beneath the hood and I had to chase it down to see how hurt it was. Except for being loopy as heck, it was fine. After a few minutes it was absolutely normal. I inspected my new trucks radiator fan and found that it was built out of a tough yet very pliable plastic. (Like something Tupperware would make). In this case good design out-weighed good luck.

[greguva]

1 down, 8 to go.

[23000Days]

I had a young kitten who got into an engine compartment. When the engine started, she juimped through the fan, severing her left rear leg at the knee. She lived 20 years!

[Jaywalkker]

I've seen a cat's rib cage cut open by a fan belt. No permanent damage and healed right up.

[writer10027]

My husband has a Ford F100. The fan is not covered.

We had no idea this beautiful, tabby cat had gotten under the hood until we heard the yell, a cry of both fear and agony.

The fan had sliced into his skull and across one eye severing both, revealing his brain, and he was still alive andyowling. We rushed him to the Vet who, not surprisingly, said that nothing could be done. We agreed to have the cat mercifully euthanzied.

I have been very careful ever since.

[Biolante]

We have a cat that lives here in our car repair shop and she looks just like that. Filthiest animal alive. The worst she does to stay warm is curling up on the seat of a customer's car...

[readingfool]

First, I'm glad the cat is okay.

Second, to all the people complaining that this isn't a news story: I think it's a really good idea to put this up so as to remind people that it's getting cold and it's good to check your wheel wells and bang on the hood before starting out in the winter. I'm in southern Florida and don't expect this to happen, but when I lived in the freezing north, I tired to remember to do this before hitting the road.

[writer10027]

Seconded !! -- to both part of your post!!

[Alarmist]

This is quite an important news story! Someone I know recently lost her cat because she did not know it was in her engine. She heard a scream, saw fur and blood, and has yet to see her cat. It is presumed dead. And, if it's cold or rainy, I'd recommend people let their pets inside, at least in the garage. Animals get cold too.

[seasun]

Thank you for this post.

I am a cat lover. I myself have a 17 yrs. old darling, who is fortunate to have a warm home and a warm bed to curl up into, but my heart aches for all the stray ones in NYC that have to seek warmth under parked cars. It is perilous for them so, I second your reminder.

Bang on the hood, and check your wheels before driving off.

[twisted-european]

Someone got the concept of a CATalyzer horribly wrong ... ;-)

[FdeBear]

Call him Greasy!

[timetraveler2039]

That cat has the same look on his face as I do after a visit from my relatives!

[felixthecat]

poor kitty.

[jl4141]

Not really -- it was probably a stray, and now someone's going to adopt it. Lucky kitty!

[writer10027]

Since it's getting cold, check in your wheel wells, and bang your car hood, before starting up folks!!

I'm so glad this little guy survived. Hope he or she gets an excellent home!

[mcclue]

I've read that before starting one's car, one should bang on the hood a little bit to give them a chance to exit. Feeling silly is better than killing a creature.

[NewYorkStateofMind]

hope someone adopts it

[mick7191]

Spay or neuter, folks. Your pets, not Republicans.

[SouthernBlueBelle]

No, them too!

[judiNJ]

Bwaaa haaaa haaaaa..... You just made my day. As a cat lover and hood banger, I have been reading these comments with clenched butt syndrome.