By Douglas Whitbread via SWNS
A callous car owner had his new motor pulled apart by firefighters after he knowingly drove around with a kitten trapped in his engine bay.
The driver told rescuers he had been “too busy” to help the adorably black and white male moggy after it crawled deep into the bonnet of his silver Toyota.
And the tiny six-week-old cat had suffered two broken legs as the man ‘cruised’ around while it was stuck inside his vehicle on September 18.
Residents living close to the driver, in Bradford, West Yorks., called a local cat rescue group for help in the evening, who then asked the fire brigade to intervene.
And after spending 45 minutes taking apart the vehicle, they removed the kitten from the car, which is now recovering at Bradford Cat Watch Rescue and Sanctuary.
The charity’s founder, Katie Lloyd, who assisted in the recovery, said: “We received a phone call from a concerned neighbor that the kitten was in the engine of the car.
“The driver knew about it but had been ‘too busy’ to deal with it. He said he had been ‘cruising around’ with it trapped inside the car during the day.
“We could only hear meows, the kitten wasn’t visible whatsoever. We had to get the fire service out, and we’re lucky that we have a good relationship with them.
“They took apart the engine, and unfortunately for the owner, the car was brand new.
“It had just been off the forecourt for ten days… I don’t think he was too happy.”
Katie said her team had later decided to name him ‘Ota’ after the Toyota brand of car he was found in.
And crew manager Nasar Hussain, from West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said he was happy to play a part in the successful rescue mission.
He added: “This was a tricky rescue as the kitten was stuck right in the engine so we had to work hard to get her out.
“After around 45 minutes we managed it though and we’re so happy that this story had a successful ending.”
Katie said she had rescued two more adorable eight-week-old ginger kittens from another Bradford car’s engine bay on Sunday (22/9).
And she later named the cute pair ‘Vauxhall’ and ‘Insignia’ after the car’s name and brand that they were found in.
She is now urging drivers to check their vehicles for moggies as the nights get colder – saying one simple trick can help prevent further accidents.
Katie said: “At this time of year, as it gets colder, this will be more common.
“It is good practice for people to bang on the bonnet three times before they get in the car.
“That will spook any animal that is in there out and prevent injuries, like little Ota.”
