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Wednesday 20 Jul 2016

Network Rail saves the bacon of Piggy the cat

Region & Route:

| North West & Central

A cat reported dead was miraculously found alive two days later after surviving for two days under a high-voltage electric track.

Piggy the 12-year-old tabby was found by Network Rail engineers under the third rail - a length of live electric rail that provides power for Merseyrail trains - at Bebington station on the Wirral, Merseyside.

 

The dramatic rescue came after a member of the public spotted motionless Piggy and assumed the worst.

 

Network Rail’s Dave Huntington was handed the grisly task of going to remove what he thought was a dead cat - but was overjoyed to find Piggy very much alive.

 

Lesley Jones, Piggy’s owner, said: "We only moved into this house a few weeks before Piggy went missing. He left the house to check out his new surroundings and we didn’t see him for a few days which was quite unusual, so when we received a call from the vet to say that Piggy had been found we had a real mix of emotions. We were elated that he’d been found but understandably worried that he’d been injured.

 

“It’s been quite an ordeal for him, and we’re so relieved to have him back home after his stay with the vet where he was in an oxygen tent and on a course of steroids. He still can’t move his back legs properly but he’s eating well and recuperating. I think it’s safe to say that he’s had his fair share of excitement for a while and I’d like to thank Network Rail for rescuing him.”

 

Piggy was a stray taken in by his owners when only a few months old.

 

Dave Huntington, of Network Rail, said: “We’d been told of what was believed to be a dead cat under the third rail at Bebington station. I attended with colleagues where we discovered the cat still alive although he was unable to move his hind legs. We rescued Piggy and took him to a nearby vet who cared for him. Fortunately Piggy was microchipped so we were able to identify his owners.

 

“I’m not sure how many lives Piggy used up while under the live third rail with many trains travelling through the area but I can’t imagine that he’s got many left!"

 

Dave added: "For safety reasons we would strongly urge members of the public to not go on to the rail network if they suspect their pet is there. Instead alert us on our national helpline and our trained engineers will endeavour to bring them to safety."

 

If you suspect that your pet may have strayed onto the rail network then you can call the 24-hour helpline on 03457 11 41 41.

 

After spending over a week at the vets, Piggy is now back home with Lesley where he is continuing to recover from his near cat-astrophe.