Cat trapped under city street gets a helping hand
Published: August 14, 2005
Recently Bob Bumpus answered a call for help from the depths of a catch basin in the West End. It was the sound of a trapped and hungry cat stuck in a drain pipe beneath a New Bedford street.
And so began a lengthy journey for a homeless feline dubbed “Piper” by the staff of Forever Paws, the shelter she was taken to after her rescue.
She now has a new home in Tiverton, R.I.
Manny Maciel, New Bedford’s animal control officer, said the drama began when a city resident called his office to report meowing sounds coming from a storm basin. The Department of Public Infrastructure was alerted and Bob Bumpus, sewer system maintenance foreman, responded.
When the manhole cover at the corner of Ryan and Whittier streets was removed, Mr. Bumpus saw a wet bundle of fur in a drain pipe. Enticed by sardines, the hungry cat gradually emerged and was scooped up by Mr. Bumpus and given to Mr. Maciel.
“Bob did his magic,” Mr. Maciel said. “After about five tries, the cat came out and he picked it up. She was very hungry.”
“We’re trying to figure out how she got down there,” Mr. Bumpus said. “She must’ve been chasing something.”
The homeless feline was taken to Forever Paws, the Fall River animal shelter contracted with the city of New Bedford to accept stray animals.
A Tiverton family filed an application to adopt Piper. They were approved later that day.
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