Plymouth, January 20: A CAT which became famous for catching the same bus every day for four years has been run over and killed — while crossing the road to catch its daily lift.
Crafty Casper died in a hit – and- run accident as he tried to board the No. 3 service. He hopped on the bus around 10 am every morning and sat on the back seat throughout its entire 11 mile route.
The freeloading feline would travel around his home city of Plymouth, Devon, for up to an hour before arriving back at the same stop.
But after an estimated 20,000 miles on the bus Casper was killed crossing the road to catch his daily ride.
Devastated owner Susan Finden, 65, said whoever ran over her cat failed to stop and help him.
She said: “ Many people knew Casper, who loved everyone. He enjoyed the bus journeys. Sadly a motorist hit him and did not stop. Casper died from his injuries. He will be greatly missed — he was a much loved pet who had so much character. Thank you to all those who befriended him.” During his regular trips the 12- year- old cat passed a historic dockyard and naval base, a city centre, several suburbs and a red light district.
He took his daily rides for so long that all First Bus drivers were told to look out for him to ensure he got off at the right stop.
Grandmother- of- three Susan added: “ I called him Casper because he had a habit of vanishing like a ghost. But then some of the drivers told me he had been catching the bus.
“ I couldn’t believe it at first, but it explained a lot.
He loved people and we have a bus stop right outside our house so that must be how he got started.”
–Agencies