Utility workers rescue cat stuck on power pole for 9 days

Mackenzie Mays/The Fresno Bee / AP

Andrew Perez reunites with his cat, Fat Boy, after a Pacific Gas and Electric Co. crew rescued the feline from atop a 45-foot power pole, Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2016, in Fresno, Calif. The cat had sat atop it for nine days.

Associated Press

Wednesday, Nov. 23, 2016 | 9:13 a.m.

FRESNO, Calif. — Utility workers in Fresno have rescued a cat that was stuck atop a 45-foot-high power pole for nine days.

The Fresno Bee reports Pacific Gas and Electric Co. linemen on Tuesday retrieved the black and white, big-boned cat named Fat Boy after cutting power to homes in the area.

Fat Boy's owner, 14-year-old Andrew Perez, says the cat probably climbed the pole after being scared by a dog. He says he had called several agencies for help to no avail.

Local tree services also had declined to help, but Silver Villa of nonprofit Paw Lives Matter says she made sure someone helped the feline. She says the cat is in pretty good health.

PG&E spokesman Denny Boyles says power on the 1,200-volt line was cut off, leaving 250 homes without power for a few hours.