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.
...yet.
THANKS!
The Sporkweasel is on the job!
Unfortunately, it’s kitten season and you will get a big “NO, we have no room now” if you approach these non-kill shelters. That’s why I spent $100 to get a certain petshop to take a 3 week kitten off my hands and keep her until she was old enough to adopt out. Some fiend had dumped her in my back yard the day before Sandy hit, and I heard her crying and went outside to investigate. I scooped her up and knew I was not going to just leave her to the fates outdoors.
Love that story.....I can relate to him.....
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