Odd Side – September 3, 2019

Officer Trying to Rescue Kitten Finds a Bobcat Instead

STRATHAM, N.H. (AP) – A New Hampshire police officer says the kitten he was trying to pick up in a parking lot turned out to be a bobcat, which then jumped onto the roof of a fast-food restaurant.

Stratham Officer Matt Callahan told an online site he was on patrol and saw the “kitten” run under a car. It eventually climbed a tree near the restaurant.

Once Callahan realized he was dealing with a young bobcat, he called state Fish and Game officers.

He also stood in the drive-thru line to alert customers in case the bobcat decided to come down, but it climbed onto the roof and took a catnap.

Callahan says he and the conservation officer climbed up and put the bobcat in a crate. The bobcat was released at a wildlife refuge.

Bear Falls on Northern California Patrol Car

HOOPA, Calif. (AP) – They probably don’t train people for this at the Sheriff’s Academy.

A patrol car was struck by a falling bear in Northern California.

Authorities say a Humboldt County sheriff’s deputy was driving on State Route 96, answering a call in the community of Orleans, when the bear fell or jumped onto the car, apparently from a steep embankment.

The bear smashed the hood and windshield. The patrol car hit an embankment, rolled onto its side and burst into flames.

The deputy managed to escape without serious injury.

The fire was contained to about half an acre but the car was gutted.

However, the California Department of Transportation stated: “Don’t worry, the bear also fled the scene.”

Firework Crashes Through Home During Pyrotechnics Convention

GILLETTE, Wyo. (AP) – Officials say a firework rocket that was launched during a show for the Pyrotechnics Guild International convention landed in a Wyoming home and sparked a small fire.

The Gillette News Record reports the rocket broke through the roof of the Gillette home about 2 miles from the event center where the fireworks display was taking place.

The Campbell County Fire Department says the flames were extinguished before firefighters got to the house. No one was injured.

Guild spokesman Tom Sklebar says the organization will pay for the damages.

He says a rocket “took an errant trajectory” after it was launched and hit the house.

Sheriff: Trio of Thieves Thwarted by Misleading Gas Jug

KEAVY, Ky. (AP) – Authorities in Kentucky say three thieves thought they were stealing gasoline from a property for their broken-down car until the car stopped working again.

Laurel County Sheriff’s Office said the three stole a 5-gallon gasoline jug from a garage for their car. Except there wasn’t gasoline in the jug. It was peroxide.

News outlets report Latasha Bryant, Timothy Storms and Dustin Napier were arrested on various charges including burglary.

Spokesman Gilbert Acciardo says after the trio filled their tank up with peroxide, they pushed the vehicle onto the victim’s property.

It’s unclear if an attorney is available to comment.