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‘Dead cat’ bought into animal shelter by distraught pet lover turns out to be ‘dog’ hand puppet

Stuffed toy is dead ringer for Bob Carolgee's 1980s TV puppet Spit the Dog

composite-kitten

A DISTRAUGHT pet lover who found a dead cat, wrapped it in a blanket and took it to an animal shelter — then discovered it was a dog hand puppet.

An unsuspecting member of the public found what they thought was a dead cat wrapped in a blanket in a box and took it to an animal rescue centre in Guernsey.

 Puppet problem ... an upset member of the public bought in what they thought was a 'dead cat'
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Puppet problem ... an upset member of the public bought in what they thought was a 'dead cat'Credit: chris murphy

GSPCA manager Steve Byrne, who was on duty that night, checked for a microchip or any form of identification, but couldn't find any.

Only on closer inspection did Steve find that it wasn't a deceased moggy, but a wet, muddy, collapsed small 'dog' hand puppet.

 Identity revealed ... GSPCA manager Steve Byrne couldn't find a microchip
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Identity revealed ... GSPCA manager Steve Byrne couldn't find a microchipCredit: chris murphy

Rescuers laughed when they realised it was a toy like Bob Carolgees’ 1980s TV puppet Spit the Dog.

Animal warden Steve said: “Not only did I find it wasn’t a cat, I also found it wasn’t dead at all!”

GSPCA said the puppet is now safe, well and washed.

He is currently in the Manager's office looking out on the Animal Shelter.

Steve added: "There are many rescues and calls that the GSPCA are involved with every week and sometimes they aren't what we expect and this has certainly turned out to be one of the most unusual we have ever seen."

 Dead ringer ... the puppet looks like Bob Carolgee's puppet Spit the Dog
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Dead ringer ... the puppet looks like Bob Carolgee's puppet Spit the DogCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

This is not the first time GSPCA have been called out to rescue animals that later transpire to be something else.

The centre have been asked to help a sick seal, which turned out to be a duvet, and an injured bird that ended up being a blonde wig.

Geoff George, an Animal Collection Officer, also added that they were once called out to rescue a hedgehog which was in fact a pine cone.