Posted on 08/29/2013 8:41:45 PM PDT by EinNYC
Two tiny kittens who narrowly survived an extended stint on the subway tracks had a big impact on Thursday's commute - shutting down subway service for more than two hours before two quick-footed cops finally scooped them up. Transit workers spotted the furry duo along an open-air stretch of the B and Q line near Church Avenue in Brooklyn at about 11 a.m., prompting officials to cut the power and suspend service for about two hours.
A transit supervisor "tried to corral them" but was eluded, said a Metropolitan Transportation Authority spokeswoman.
Sandra Polel, 52, was heading home when her train suddenly screeched to a halt.
"The announcer said it had to stop to rescue some cats," Polel said. "I didn't mind. I wanted to get home, but I also wanted the kittens to be safe."
Local service resumed at 12:45 p.m. with full service back at 1:09 p.m. - but the kitties were still huddled beneath the third rail along the middle track.
Train crews were instructed to "proceed through the area with caution," but onlookers were still horrified.
"It makes me want to cry because I can't do anything to help them," Alicia Mohammed, 40, wailed as she watched the kittens from the platform, mere feet from the speeding trains.
Mohammed's daughter, Azeeza Rahim, 6, tried to coax the tiny felines out from their dangerous niche.
"Come, kitty!" the little girl cooed.
During the service suspension, displaced straphangers had to take shuttle buses between Kings Highway and Stillwell Avenue.
The second rescue attempt came after reports of the cats' plight spread across the internet.
Witnesses say it was a game of cop-and-cat.
The MTA suspended express train service at about 5:45 p.m. along the middle of the three tracks.
Letitia Delacorte Spangler, 31, joined the crowd at the platform to watch the commotion.
She said a plain clothes officer and a uniformed officer jumped down on the tracks.
"People were throwing out ideas. The wind blew off a box of honey buns in their direction. We thought, 'maybe that would work?'"
The two officers kept running up and down the third rail but the kitties kept alluding them, running back and forth.
"They were quick! They kept running up and down ," she said.
An MTA worker re-routed an oncoming B train, then joined them wearing an orange suit.
"One of the officers then had an insulating glove. He just scooped them out, despite all escape tactics," said Spangler.
The kittens were placed in carrying crates at about 6 p.m. and shipped off to the shelter.
"I'd say it's a relief, relief and joy," said one of the rescuers, Transit Officer Jason Bolger, 36, adding that he also owns a cat.
It only matters that bleedinhearts feel good about themselves.
Oh, so cute!
And you can see a bebbeh elephant in the ocean for the first time. Start around 1:15 and after:
http://pinterest.com/pin/108860515966421141/
Always good to hear some good news in a day filled with difficulties. :)
Da kitteh ping..........
“I’m on ur tracks, stopping ur trains.”
I worked at a railroad with a guy who was the most wretched alcholic and had nothing but contempt for most human beings... The guy was indescribable... every other word out of his mouth was the F word... he was quite the character, actually.
However, when it came to animals, particularly cats... he was a complete softie. He would take in strays... and I believe at one point he had 9 at home and about 15 at the railyard.
He always figured that when his time came he’d have “an angle”, “Yeah, I’ll be up there at the pearly gates and when he gives me any lip I’ll say, ‘Yeah? Well look here, [Saint] Pete[r], you talk to the Big Man and he will tell you to let me in... because I took care of all His cats down on that shithole planet below!’”.
I am not sure where he is now... but I could easily see him on the scene trying to wrangle these kitties.
This could be a dry run for something bigger.
>> It only matters that bleedinhearts feel good about themselves.
The same folks that will rush down to the local “shelter” and spare a senior feline certain death. /s
Poor kitties!
This is a job for terriers...with flamethrowers.
The kittens were “alluding” them. Rotten writing, happy ending.
There are private no-kill shelter organizations in the NYC/Long Island Sound area out there. :)=^..^=
Good rescue job folks!
Just heard this story on the radio. Those sweet kittens will be adopted. It’s the other animals that need homes too.
Kittens should get a medal for being on the subway, lets face it, peeps should get medals too for riding. The subway too.
(Officer tries to grab a kitten)
Kitten 1: "I think he's gay."
Kitten 2: "All the signs are there."
(Officer tries to grab the other kitten)
Kitten 1: "Only an alcoholic would have missed me."
Kitten 2: (makes drinking motion) "Glug glug glug glug..."
(Officer tries to grab one of the kittens again)
Kitten 1: "Damned momma's boy."
Kitten 2: "Still living in her basement, brah?"
One of these days they may actually teach English in schools. I hold on to hope, eternal.
Are you eluding to their misuse of the English language?
I would right and Ammendment for gooder grammer.
Volunteers with Terriers hunt the alleyways of lower Manhattan for ratz.
Somehow Bloomie hasn't outlawed them...........yet.
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