Cops swoop to check on kitten

JOHN TROUP
The Sun
Sep. 25, 2006

PET owner Robert Emberson was stunned as two cops swooped on his home — to seize his KITTEN.

The bobbies went round after pet charity workers were tipped off that the moggy missed a routine appointment.

Robert had adopted the rescue kitten named Plume.

But Cat Protection workers swooped to demand it back — and called in a police escort in case there was trouble. Horticultural student Robert, 18, accused the charity of being heavy-handed.

He said: “They were so rude — barging in without warning. I was horrified.”

It followed an earlier visit by a Cat Protection worker who claimed to have seen a SINGLE FLEA on the cat. Robert, of Canvey Island, Essex, agreed to treat Plume. But he was waiting for his pay from his part-time job.

He said: “The flea treatment cost me a day’s wages, but I paid for Plume to be vaccinated and everything.

“I missed just one treatment, but they said they might take Plume away.”

The charity — criticised for refusing to let a man with an artificial leg adopt a cat — refused to comment.

Robert was eventually allowed to keep the cat.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said: “We are frequently asked by other agencies to support them when there could be public order issues.”