oddly enough

oddly enough

Larry the cat will stay at 10 Downing Street

LONDON

Prime ministers may come and go, but Larry the cat is staying put.

Known officially as the chief mouser at the prime minister’s residence at No. 10 Downing Street, Larry did not join outgoing chief David Cameron and his family when they moved out last Wednesday.

Instead, he was in place to welcome Cameron’s successor, Theresa May, and her husband, Philip – while trying to keep the famous residence and offices vermin-free.

The never shy brown and white tabby rescue cat was seen on patrol as the international press gathered in front of No. 10 to await Cameron’s departure and the arrival of May. He looks the part – but some suggest he’s not so great at catching mice.

The tomcat was a sentimental topic of conversation in Cameron’s final appearance in Parliament as prime minister.

Cameron said he wanted to use the prime minister’s question time session to end a rumor that he was not fond of the cat, which was brought to Downing Street from an animal shelter five years ago.

He said he wanted to end speculation that “somehow I don’t love Larry. I do, and I have photographic evidence to prove it.”

He then produced a picture of Larry lying on his lap.

The prime minister said he was sad he can’t take Larry with him but that the cat belongs at No. 10.

“He belongs to the house and the staff love him very much – as do I,” he said.

In earlier years, Larry’s role was filled by Humphrey, who was retired in 1997 after a successful career as chief mouser.

Alligator captured on Minnesota bike trail

BRAINERD, Minn.

People using a lakeside bike trail in central Minnesota might expect to encounter some wildlife along the way. But not an alligator.

But that is what Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Lt. Joe Meyer’s department was called upon to capture Saturday afternoon on a trail southwest of Brainerd. Meyer says it was a department first.

He told the Star Tribune his deputies weren’t keen to volunteer to capture the 3-foot gator, especially as the reptile was aggressive. So the department asked the nearby Safari North Wildlife Park to help trap the reptile.

The deputies later posed for a photo with the alligator, but only after its snout was taped shut.

Meyer says the alligator probably was an escaped or illegally released pet.

Associated Press