'Fat Boy' the cat rescued from electrical pole after nine days

FRESNO, Calif., Nov. 23 (UPI) -- Fire crews in California scaled an electrical pole to rescue a pet cat who had been stuck near the power lines for nine days.

Residents in the Fresno neighborhood spent days seeking help to rescue the black and white cat named Fat Boy before assistance finally arrived to bring the cat to safety, Fox 26 reported.

Two linemen from Pacific Gas and Electric Co. responded to rescue the area Tuesday and cut power before climbing the pole to rescue the cat.

"We called everyone – anyone that could help, but they didn't come," Fat Boy's owner, 14-year-old Andrew Perez told the Fresno Bee. "He's a nice cat. He probably went up there because he got scared by a dog. I was scared."

Power to nearly 250 homes was shut off for several hours to ensure that Fat Boy was rescued safely.

"It's not a simple thing to climb a power pole and get a cat down," Pacific Gas and Electric Co spokesman Denny Boyles said. "The first thing we have to do is de-energize the line – it's a 12,000-volt line. The safety of the two guys who went up on the pole, and the crew member on the ground, has to be our first priority every time."

Once back safely on the ground Fat Boy was slightly dehydrated, but otherwise in good condition.