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Devil cat’s invasion makes life hell for couple Bruce and Eileen Gough of Chartham

A devil cat which sneaked into an elderly couple’s home left a trail of destruction after terrorising them for two days.

The crazed intruder caused chaos for Bruce and Eileen Gough when it squeezed through an open window at their flat in Tower View, Chartham.

The ferocious feline:

  • Smashed antiques as it raced around the home;
  • Bit and scratched Bruce so badly he needed a tetanus injection;
  • Defecated and urinated all over a bedroom floor
Bruce Gough's injured arm after being attacked by a stray cat
Bruce Gough's injured arm after being attacked by a stray cat

After 48 hours of hell, the couple, who are both in their 70s, had to get a neighbour to remove the cat in full motorcycle gear.

Retired aerospace engineer Bruce, 74, recalled how their ordeal started as they sat watching TV.

He said: “I suddenly saw the cat standing in the doorway. It must have got in through a bedroom window.

“When I got up, it dashed off into a spare bedroom and I found it hiding under the bed. I tried to coax it out but it wouldn’t budge, so I got a broom to ease it out.

“But when I went to pick it up, it just flew at me and sank its teeth and claws into my forearm.

The 'devil cat' shows no sign of leaving
The 'devil cat' shows no sign of leaving

“It was going berserk and flew around the room, knocking things over, including a Victorian ewer on the mantlepiece, which smashed.”

Retired nurse Eileen, 77, added: “Unfortunately, the cat defecated and urinated in the room, which now stinks. We shut the door and left it in there. Bruce’s arm was bleeding quite badly and I said he should go to hospital because there was a risk of infection.

“The cat had clawed its way up curtains and sat on the edge of the sash window, and that’s where it was the following morning.”

Bruce suffered nasty scratches and bite wounds to his arm and was given tetanus and antibiotics injections at hospital.

The couple called the RSPCA, but claim they were refused help because the cat was believed to be feral. Eileen said: “I was very surprised and a little angry the RSPCA wouldn’t help.”

The couple were instead given a cage trap by Canterbury Cats Protection in the hope they could tempt the cat down and catch it.

He may not be black, but this cat has been bad luck for Bruce Gough
He may not be black, but this cat has been bad luck for Bruce Gough
Bruce shows how the cat has made itself at home... in his home
Bruce shows how the cat has made itself at home... in his home

However, when that failed they turned to neighbour Andrew Fox, a retired firefighter and keen motorcyclist.

He donned his full leathers and helmet and managed to wrap a blanket around the cat before releasing it outside.

Bruce said: “We were very grateful to Andrew. He tells me it wasn’t going to come quietly and put up a hell of a fight.”

An RSPCA spokesman said: “This sounds like a very distressing incident.

“It was going berserk and flew around the room, knocking things over, including a Victorian ewer on the mantlepiece, which smashed" - Bruce Gough

"The RSPCA is an animal welfare charity and our donors expect us to use our limited resources on animals who are suffering or in distress or danger.

"So long as a feral cat is healthy, he or she will live happily outside and so when we are busy we have to prioritise other animals who are in greater need of our help.

“We would advise anyone who finds a feral cat has entered their home to keep a distance and ensure they have a clear and easy exit route – such as an open window or door – so they can make their own way out.

“We support the trapping and neutering of feral cats where local charities have the capacity to do so.”

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