Stray Cat Saves Woman from Burning House

By Sara Tan Jun 25th 2012

We all like to think that our pets whom we love would come through for us somehow in emergency situations, but in New Zealand, a woman owes her entire life to a cat who does not even belong to her.



Dawn Bennie credits a stray cat for saving her when her home went up in flames. According to Stuff.co.nz, the cat had been roaming around the Bennie residence for the last year and had become friendly with Dawn and her husband. Usually, the cat would greet the couple, but last Saturday morning, it began to act oddly.

"Usually it would come up to my legs, but this time it was freaking out," said Dawn Bennie about the cat that fateful day.

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When Bennie began to smell smoke, she said she could sense that the cat did not want her to stay inside of the house. Suddenly, Bennie realized that's where the smoke was coming from. She immediately closed all the doors, went outside and phoned the fire department.

The house was destroyed by the fire, leaving Bennie traumatized by the whole experience. Her husband was away that night.

"All I know is, I owe my life to cat," said Bennie.

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Ohai chief fire officer John Hogg praised Dawn's actions in dealing with the fire. In addition, he acknowledged the cat's role in saving Dawn's life.

"It was sort of trying to exit her out of the house, so it must have had a bit of an instinct," Officer Hogg said.