Deputies and Neighbors Partner to Avoid Early Morning “Cat-astrophe”
Being a Deputy isn’t always responding to fights, arresting criminals, enforcing traffic laws, or catching robbers. Sometimes you just never know what your shift will bring. Take this cat caper as an example.
Spokane County Sheriff’s Office Deputies responded to an early morning disorderly call of a female screaming about a cat in a tree, found themselves going above and beyond to rescue the treed “meow-ser”.
On August 15, 2020, at approximately 5:40 a.m., Spokane County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to try and assist neighbors in the 8400 block of N. Country Homes Blvd. as they tried to catnap in the early morning hours.
Close to the location, Sergeant Thornburg pounced at the opportunity to assist. He spoke to the very agitated and distraught cat owner, who was not in the mood to handle this potential catastrophe any longer, vigorously explained the feline, later identified as Juni, had been in the tree for three days.
Fire was unable to respond with a ladder leaving Deputy Pierson, Deputy Bylow, and Deputy Vaughn to devise a plan to rescue the stranded kitty, approximately 25 feet off the ground.
Realizing Juni wasn’t a felonious cat burglar attempting to evade arrest, Deputy Bylow, using his resourcefulness, bravely commandeered an extension ladder. Then, without hesitation or regard for his own safety, Deputy Pierson quickly scaled the 28-foot ladder to Juni’s elevated perch. Rapidly developing a rapport, Deputy Pierson cradled the cantankerous cat and descended to safety. Deputy Vaughn stayed with the cat owner and kept her calm during the rescue operation.
Reunited with the now elated cat owner, the once petrified Juni appeared relieved.
With peace restored to the neighborhood, the rescuers returned to work, not knowing what the next call for service will bring.
