<html><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div><span></span></div><div><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"><div>Courtesy of UPI at:</div><div><br></div><div><a href="http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2016/01/07/Denver-firefighters-cut-through-dumpster-to-free-trapped-kitten/8521452183248/?st_rec=1081452191751&utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link">http://www.upi.com/Odd_News/2016/01/07/Denver-firefighters-cut-through-dumpster-to-free-trapped-kitten/8521452183248/?st_rec=1081452191751&utm_source=fark&utm_medium=website&utm_content=link</a></div><div><br></div><div>--------------------------------</div><div><h1 class="st_headline title" itemprop="headline" style="font-family: Roboto; font-size: 30pt; margin: 10px 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-weight: normal; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Denver firefighters cut through dumpster to free trapped kitten</h1></div><div><p style="padding-bottom: 10px; line-height: 28pt !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="story_dl">DENVER, Jan. 7 (UPI) --</span> A crew of Denver firefighters -- self-described "big softies" -- spent more than an hour working to free a kitten with its head stuck in a drain hole inside a dumpster.</span></p><p style="padding-bottom: 10px; line-height: 28pt !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Denver Fire Department Assistant Chief Gregory Taft shared pictures <a class="tpstyle" href="https://www.facebook.com/gregory.taft/posts/10207307565999199" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none;">on Facebook</a> of the Jan. 1 operation, which involved a crew using specialized tools to free the trapped kitten.</span></p><p style="padding-bottom: 10px; line-height: 28pt !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Our engine company arrived first on scene and found a cat that had its head stuck in a drain hole inside the dumpster," Lt. Aaron Jonke <a class="tpstyle" href="http://www.9news.com/story/news/features/2016/01/01/denver-fire-crew-rescues-kitten-trapped-in-dumpster/78195802/" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none;">told KUSA-TV</a>. "Even though it's not a human being, it still becomes a technical rescue. The engine company found them but Truck 8 actually has specialized tools to be able to do intricate operations like that."</span></p><p style="padding-bottom: 10px; line-height: 28pt !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Jonke said the firefighters used a saw and other tools to cut through the metal and free the feline's head.</span></p><p style="padding-bottom: 10px; line-height: 28pt !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"We used a drill, a reciprocating saw, a grinder and what we call a 'Whiz Wheel.' We also had to use water to keep the dumpster cool when we were cutting the metal so we didn't burn the cat as well," Jonke said. "Absolutely we feel for it. We treat it just like it was a human being in a sense. We want to make sure we rescue the cat and rescue the cat safely."</span></p><p style="padding-bottom: 10px; line-height: 28pt !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Taft said the cat appeared "malnourished" and appeared to have been in the dumpster "for a while."</span></p><p style="padding-bottom: 10px; line-height: 28pt !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The kitten was taken to the Denver Animal Shelter, which said <a class="tpstyle" href="https://www.facebook.com/DenverAnimalShelter/photos/a.489404792537.267176.106833422537/10154433721297538/?type=3&theater" target="_blank" style="text-decoration: none;">on Facebook</a> the 8-week-old cat appears to be in good health.</span></p><p style="padding-bottom: 10px; line-height: 28pt !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The firefighters said they were happy to help the kitten.</span></p><p style="padding-bottom: 10px; line-height: 28pt !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"We're not heroes. We're just doing our job," Jonke said. "Somebody called and we're a bunch of big softies down here at Station 8, so we wanted to make sure we took care of that cat."</span></p><p style="padding-bottom: 10px; line-height: 28pt !important;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">--------------------</span></p><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Video</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://youtu.be/ClcCBii9iQw">http://youtu.be/ClcCBii9iQw</a></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Photos</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/Caturday/Caturday_010916_01.jpg">http://www.MoscowCares.com/Caturday/Caturday_010916_01.jpg</a></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/Caturday/Caturday_010916_02.jpg">http://www.MoscowCares.com/Caturday/Caturday_010916_02.jpg</a></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/Caturday/Caturday_010916_03.jpg">http://www.MoscowCares.com/Caturday/Caturday_010916_03.jpg</a></span></div></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div>--------------------------------<br><br><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)</span></div><div><a href="http://www.moscowcares.com/" style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><font color="#000000">http://www.MoscowCares.com</font></a></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></div><div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Tom Hansen</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Moscow, Idaho</span></div></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"There's room at the top they are telling you still.</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But first you must learn how to smile as you kill,</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you want to be like the folks on the hill."</span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">- John Lennon</span></div></div></div></div></div></body></html>