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An Auckland-based security firm has defended its staff after a bystander caught the moment a cat appeared to be dumped on a rural road.
A social media post by a local resident alleged she saw a Global Security Solutions vehicle “throw” a cat from the car on Ararimu Valley Rd,north of Riverhead, and drive away.
The poster said she spent over an hour trying to lure the cat to a safe spot.
“How heartless can you be?! There is so many options to surrender a cat but you chose this?!” she said, also claiming she contacted the company about the incident.
“He is so so loving and trusting even after what he has been through,” she said in a later photograph posted of the feline.
A video posted online also showed the tabby in distress at the side of the road.
Global Security Solutions has defended a worker after they appeared to dump a cat on the side of the road. Photo / Google
Global Security Solutions said there was an internal investigation into the incident and staff were actually trying to protect the cat from traffic.
“We are aware of a photo and video circulating on social media showing one of our vehicles and a cat on Ararimu Valley Rd. We take this situation very seriously and have undertaken an investigation,” the firm said.
They said that about 6.40pm yesterday, a senior manager and their son stopped after nearly hitting the cat, describing it as being in the “middle of the road” and “seemingly disorientated”.
The pair picked it up to protect it from traffic, before the cat became “very distressed” and scratched the passenger.
The company said their staff member tried to find a quieter section of road and released the cat from the car safely.
“A member of the public saw this moment and understandably thought the cat was being abandoned – but the team was trying to protect it, not dump it.”
Global Security Solutions claimed GPS data supported the account and staff will be reminded to contact animal welfare in the future.
“We understand how the photo could be misinterpreted and we take animal welfare seriously,” the firm said.
