NEBRASKA -- Several neighbors frustrated with what they felt was a poor response by the City of Lincoln, were finally able to get assistance rescuing a cat Sunday.
A viewer called 10/11 News and asked for assistance with the cat which had been stuck under a storm drain for at least three days. The caller reported to 10/11 that police told two men trying to rescue the cat, that they were not allowed to touch the grate.
According to Lincoln Police Sergeant Brian Agnew, about 7:30 p.m. Sunday, they were told that someone was breaking into the storm drains near 26th and Potter Streets. Agnew and another officer responded and found two men doing just that.
The men explained that they were trying to rescue a cat which was stuck under a storm drain in the nearby alley. They showed officers the cat.
Nick Bryan, one of the men trying to rescue the cat said the officers told him there was nothing that could be done and that the cat would likely figure out how to get back out of the storm drain system. Bryan said officers told them to leave the drain cover alone and have Public Works remove it. Bryan said with it being a weekend, Public Works does not work. He wishes there was a hotline number or something so they can reach City Departments after normal business hours.
Sgt. Agnew said there was misunderstanding. The men were not told they could not rescue the animal, but that officers were not going to get involved since most of the time, animals will usually find their way out of the drainage systems. Agnew said there was no mention that the cat was there for several days when they first arrived to investigate.
[OK, so "most" of the time the animals "usually" find their way out? And what about the ones which don't? They suffer for days, possibly weeks, before dying.]
Rhonda Bryan said she learned from a neighbor that there was meowing near a dumpster, but the neighbor could not locate the source. Saturday, the cat was finally spotted. Rhonda called Animal Control Saturday reporting that the cat had been there at least two days. Animal Control said they would not do anything since cats regularly go into the storm drain system and will usually find their way out.
Katy Fischer said she found out about the cat on Sunday and after putting food and water out for the cat, called Animal Control, not knowing it had already been reported. Katy said Animal Control asked her if she was the same person who reported the cat on Saturday and when she said she was not, Animal Control told her the same thing as Bryan about letting the cat figure out how to get out of the drainage system. Fischer said she was told that they could not do anything anyway as the storm drain is city property.
About 11:30 p.m. 10/11 News called Captain Michon Morrow and shared the information that officers had reportedly been at the scene and told the two men they could not tamper with the drains. Morrow asked Sgt. Agnew to investigate further after learning how long the cat had been there.
The Bryan's and Fischer all agree that if Animal Control knew the cat had been there at least two days when they called on Saturday, they should have done something before Sunday night and only after the police department called them.
Public Works crews who were on duty Sunday night, were called to raise the drain cover and Animal Control wrangled the cat into a carrier then took it to the Capital Humane Society.
The Animal Control Officer said he will try to determine if anyone owns the cat or if the cat will be made available for adoption.
Fischer said she would love to adopt the cat if possible. She already has a name picked out for him too, 'Draino.'
(1011 NOW - Nov 18, 2013)
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