Posted on 05/06/2026 8:56:56 PM PDT by Red Badger
Sometimes what seems like a good idea at the time doesn't quite work out the way you pictured it.
For example, when a firefighter in Spencerport, New York, was called in by a frantic owner to rescue a cat from a tree and all the usual methods like ladders drove the cat higher in the tree, he thought, "Wow, that's really high. There's got to be a better way."
So, he got some people to stand under the tree with a blanket, and then cranked up the water cannon on top of the fire truck to spray the feline out.
And it worked, sort of.
pic.twitter.com/PyTaU2KRkn— Davy Jones (@itsNTBmedia) May 6, 2026
On the video, you can see the utter disappointment on the rescuers' faces as the cat goes flying out of the tree — in the wrong direction.
The cat did not survive, and that's why the firefighter now faces charges for torturing and injuring an animal under section 353 of New York State Agriculture and Markets law. It did not die on impact, as you can see from the video.
News10NBC reports,
‘The issue was, is that there comes a time sometimes that we've done all we can. What is another option? Instead of trying to force an issue,' said Reno DiDomenico, Vice President for Humane Law Enforcement.
‘And that's one of the biggest things in this. It has to be an unjustifiable act. And that's why he was charged because of the unjustification. In other words, he didn't have to spray it with a hose. You have to use common sense and figure out the best way to help something without causing a potential injury,' DiDomenico continued.
The investigators asked for a misdemeanor charge since it's clear the firefighter was trying to help.
He'll likely face a fine, but he also lost his job with the fire department.
Maybe he should have used a laser pointer to get the cat down?
I’ve found that you get what you give with cats.
Give a little attention, a little love, some belly rubs, and some play time and you might get some back.
I agree.
There’s a joke in there somewhere.
I just hope nobody’s mom was on the roof.
That's correct. That's why you've never seen a cat skeleton in a tree.
Agreed. None of my cats who was up in a tree was ever up there for long. They all came down on their own. Never saw a cat skeleton in a tree or a cat dead at the base of a tree.
Wet kitty.
Indeed!They have to recoup the money they spent spaying and neutering, and maybe make a few bucks per cat (and dog). Also a fee for adopting said animal.
Believe me, opening a can of tuna doesn’t always work.
The guys trying to catch the cat were totally in the wrong place.
The guy with the hose was a moron.
The cat could have/would have gotten down by itself.
I bet that even if the cat had jumped (which it wouldn’t) it would be fine. but being blasted out of a tree with both a sideways and gravity component, f that.
Serious Stupidity.
"No problem, Ma'am."
“As God is my witness, I thought cats could fly” — NYFD
Back to Stupid Cat Videos...
Never seen one just go ‘Splatt’
Either total idiot or evil. Could be both.
I have had many cats. I have found out that if you let them be a “cat” and do not expect any kind of “human” like interaction, they come to you and do the rubbing, purring, hugging, playing all on their own. All ya’ gotta do is feed them the good foods they like, give them water, clean the kitty litter, treat them compassionately, get them shots, take to vet if necessary, they do the rest.
I only had one bad cat. A super angry, hissing, hostile male. Would bully all the other cats, growl when eating, avoid any interaction, etc. I tried to feed and keep him outside, but he took off.
Stealing that.
Had that as a screensaver some years back. Forgot all about it.🐱😆
Rescuing a cat is like bringing a disposable lighter in for repairs
I remember that one.
I have never seen a cat skeleton in a tree ...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.