CLEO

Cleo, Autumn and I had a department of transportation routine road side inspection. It was going along as well as to be expected when another officer pulled up. This officer had a dog with him. They asked if I wouldn't mind letting their dog in my truck to sniff for drugs. I had no problem with it but informed them that I had to put my cats in carriers first. The officers then held a little conference. They came back informing me that the dog was new and they didn't want to expose the dog to the cats. The officer doing the inspection decided to do a quick in cab inspection of his own. I told the officer I had no problem with that but I still need to put the cats in carriers. The officer said that would not be necessary. I told them that the cats are feral and will bite. The officer said he was not worried. I then told him that one will be in her cat bed and the other will be under or in one of the pillows. Just stay clear of them. He again said it would be fine. You know where this is going? I was telling the officer with the dog about what I do for the shelter. I told him I come through there quit a lot. I gave him my phone number so he could call when he thought the dog was up to the challenge of cats. He said he would talk to their trainer and supervisor. I said the only drugs I have is cat nip. He went on to say you wouldn't believe how many used trucks make a dog alert on them. They do find drugs the driver had no idea was there. I was asking him what they do in that situation. When we heard "HOLY S:-) :-) T"! The officer came out of my truck pulling on his glove. We asked if he was alright and had  he been bit? "YES he yelled"! He had marks on his finger but no punctures. He was demanding animal control be called. The officers left me standing there while they went to their cars. I could hear the one that had been bit talking loudly. A few minutes later the officer that had the dog said I could go. He handed me back my license and paperwork. I took of as quickly as I could. Autumn was still in her bed and I didn't see Cleo so she was probably under a pillow. My guess is the officer stuck his hand under the pillow and startled Cleo and she bit him. Autumn would have drawn blood and she was in plane site. So I doubt he was dumb enough to stick his hand by Autumn, and she would have hissed a warning as soon as he got close. I don't think people really understand what a feral cat is. He and I are glad it wasn't worse. I could see Cleo in quarantine for 10 to 30 days. I'm glad the officer with the dog was there and able to help calm things down. I wish there was a differant route I could take but then would the officer ever want to pull me over again? Dammed if I do dammed if I don't. I suppose I should feel bad the officer got bit but hay he was warned. He's just lucky I didn't have Jackle when he was feral.