Hairless Cat Saves Woman from Escaped Tiger in Downtown Austin
By Editor | October 9, 2007
Austin, TX — A woman who was nearly mauled by an escaped tiger has another feline to thank for her survival … a hairless cat named Ramses.
This unusual story unfolded Sunday morning in downtown Austin. A production crew was filming a commercial for Tiger Heat, a men’s body spray manufactured by an Austin-based company. The commercial was being filmed at the manufacturer’s downtown headquarters. An actual tiger was being used for the Tiger Heat commercial.
During a coffee break, an animal handler led Sasha, a trained Siberian tiger, into her makeshift holding pen. But the handler forgot to fasten the gate and Sasha sneaked out of the cage — and out of the room — undetected.
“I only turned my back for a moment,” said handler Doug Willis. “But that’s a tiger for you … quick and stealthy. A moment was all Sasha needed to make her escape.”
The 400-pound tiger made her way down a stairwell and dashed out the front doors of the office building as a Fed-Ex man was coming in.
“I couldn’t believe my eyes,” said Fed-Ex employee Albert Fatz. “I propped the door open to bring in a dolly full of packages, and here comes this tiger strutting right out the door and onto the street.”
Outside, the situation grew worse. According to handler Doug Willis, Sasha is normally a docile and well-trained tiger. But the unexpected noise and commotion of downtown Austin caught the cat off guard, and she quickly became spooked and defensive.
“She was just growling at everyone,” said one eyewitness. “I dove into a trashcan to hide I was so scared. I had to get a tetanus shot the next day, but it sure beats a tiger bite.”
About that time, 65-year-old Emma Betts was walking down the sidewalk with her cat Ramses — a Sphynx cat, also known as a Canadian hairless. Emma and Ramses both saw the angry tiger at the same time, but they reacted in very different ways.
“I froze in fear,” Betts explained. “I just stood there like a tree, unable to move or scream or anything.”
Fortunately for Emma Betts, her cat Ramses was not so terror-stricken.
Without regard for his own safety, Ramses leaped from his owner’s arms and ran straight for the tiger.
The two felines squared off amid shocked onlookers, and for some time just stared at one another.
Then the tiger roared at the tiny cat and took a swipe with its paw, just missing the quick-moving Ramses. It was a moment when most cats in their right minds would have turned tail and ran. But not Ramses … not on this day.
The 10-pound hairless cat drew himself up and “roared” back with all he was worth, baring his teeth while hissing and growling.
Much to the dismay of everyone present, Sasha the 400-pound Siberian tiger turned and ran in the other direction — back into the building she had just escaped. The handler eventually caught up with Sasha and escorted her back to her holding pen. The commercial had to be reshot using a digital tiger instead of the real thing.
Emma Betts and Ramses are both doing well, though Betts said she is still a little shaken by the incident. Ramses was awarded a Medal of Courage by the Governor, similar to the one the Cowardly Lion earned in the Wizard of Oz.
“I thank my stars for Ramses,” said Betts. “He is truly a hero among cats.”
Pictured Below: Ramses duplicates his awe-inspiring roar that struck fear in the heart of a 400-pound Siberian tiger.
P.S. If you have pictures of cats to share, be sure to visit KittySpotlight.com, a website highly recommended by the Austin Probe!
Topics: Austin News |
October 15th, 2007 at 8:57 am
We’re not sure we approve of the “similar to the one the Cowardly Lion earned” comment, but otherwise…
Way to go, Ramses!
October 15th, 2007 at 9:02 am
Assuming this actually happened.
We just scrolled down to the bottom of the page, where you’ve hidden that ‘parody website’ disclaimer.
No fair!
October 16th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Fed Ex delivering a load of packages on a Sunday morning rather gives it away!!!
October 31st, 2007 at 6:23 am
Both photos are supposed to be of the same cat when its pretty obvious they are two different cats! c’mon, you could have at least got two cats of the same colour at least!