SALT LAKE CITY, Utah: Air travellers witnessed a take-off of a different kind recently when a travel-weary cat escaped its cage and left a trail of mayhem.
A man who had decided to take his cat with him on a trip was asked to remove the feline from its travel crate so the container could be x-rayed without the animal being irradiated, according to the Deseret Morning News.
However the cat got away from the passenger and took off into the passenger terminal at the Salt Lake City International Airport, Utah Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) federal security director, Ron Malin, said.
"It scratched his owner pretty good," Malin is reported to have said.
Attempts were made by several TSA luggage screeners to round up the cat, but the riled-up feline was having none of it and bit all three employees before taking off farther into the airport.
While the TSA staff members were all treated by medical personnel, paramedics actually considered sending one to hospital for stitches to his finger, Malin said. At least one employee also had to receive a tetanus shot.
Airport police eventually cornered and captured the uncowed feline.
Malin said it isn't unusual for passengers to bring their pets onto aircraft as carry-on items - however having one get lose and run amok in the airport terminal is not an every day occurrence.
Poor little thing, it must have been scared half to death. I don't agree with taking animals on flights anyway - too stressful on them. It should be banned
This is why I hate cats - you just can't trust the darned things. Give me a dog any day of the week
Again the dumbest animal comes up - humans. Why would they not offer a secure area for the animal owner to unload the cat, TSA take the carrier for x-ray, and bring the crate back to the enclosed area for the owner to put the cat back in? Isn't the point of a carrier to keep the pet safe and secure? Taking it out in an open area? Duhhhhhhh?
I can't imagine removing a cat from its carrier in a strange environment for even a second. Any cat would panic. I agree, the point of the carrier is to keep the cat feeling safe and secure and to prevent such an episode. Airport employees need to be trained to be sensitive and come up with a process that will prevent the cat, its owner, and employees from being at risk from a completely predictible scenario.
Traveling as a carry-on is an excellent idea for pets (vs. in the luggage area). I would hate to see this banned. Already, you have pets abandoned when people move, cats especially. Such a shame. Animals bond with their owners. Plus, it's a myth that they can survive on their own. They are domesticated...they rely on humans.
Cats vs. Dogs??? They are both animals that need love, affection, patience, and compassion. I am both a dog person and a cat person. I am amazed at the similarities between the two. Once you understand cat behavior and how they communicate, you truly come to appreciate them. Both animals give me great joy.
My cat is smart, but not smarter than me. The owner of the Krazy Kitty should have known how to properly handle the cat. Holding the feline by the scruff gently but firmly would have relaxed and secured the poor thing throughout the ordeal. Or you could train the cat like mine (who insists she is a dog) to sit and stay.
I totally agree with Linda. The airport should've been smarter than that- seriously, what were they thinking?
I agree, Simon and Linda! Why on earth would you remove a cat from it's container? Of course, the cat is in a strange environment. Naturally, she would be in a defensive mood. The airport people should have more sense than that. It doesn't take Or, at least they should be prepared and have their own container to transfer the cat into! It doesn't take a genius to figure that out. Makes you wonder... common sense in not so common after all.
my cat is the same way every time i bring her along with me when i travel. it really stresses them out so you can't blame them for acting that way. poor kitty.
now that's a funny story *scratch*
Cats don't like it when they are in an unfamiliar territory - hence the travel cage. Why remove an animal from a cage right? DUH!
precisely why i never bring my cats whenever i travel. i do not want to keep on worrying about them and the unnecessary stress that traveling brings.
these airport personnel should really find a more secure place especially when taking an animal out of its cage. just imagine the stress it brings when the animal suddenly escapes and runs around the whole place.
All cats panic when they are somewhere unknown. They like having their own territory. But removing it from their safe haven and into a busy public place? They are security guards for cryin' out loud! Where'd their common sense go? Given that they are not cat lovers, any person or kid would be scared if you suddenly get them and expose them to unfamiliar land!
Their routinary way of doing things and checking bags must have had a bad effect on their intelligence...