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Video: Idaho trooper belly flops to catch cat escaping from traffic stop

When faced with a non-compliant passenger, one cop took a leap of faith

cat escapes

Idaho State Police

By Maddie Capron
The Charlotte Observer

BOISE, Idaho — A state trooper used an unexpected move to keep a cat from running off into the Idaho wilderness.

The Idaho State Police trooper recently noticed several items flying out of a van on Interstate 90 in North Idaho, police said. The side door of the van came open on the interstate.

“When the trooper stopped the van, he found two people, two dogs, and a cat all inside,” Idaho State Police said in a Feb. 3 Facebook post.

The trooper had opened the trunk of the van to inspect the vehicle, video showed. When the back was open, the cat tried to make a run for it.

The cat bolted from the back of the van and dashed into snow on the side of the interstate, video shows. Just as it was about to escape into the trees, the trooper belly flopped onto the snow and grabbed the cat.

The trooper quickly scooped the cat into his arms and got it back into the van, video shows.

“Trooper Llerenas said he literally took a ‘leap of faith’ to catch the cat, and it worked,” Idaho State Police said. “If you listen closely, however, after he catches Mr. Kitty and brings him safely back to the vehicle, Trooper Llerenas tells the feline that they were friends, but after the leap into the snow, maybe not so much”

Idaho State Police said two people were arrested on drug charges after the trooper stopped the van. Local shelters took custody of the dogs and cat.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=504869714395198

©2022 The Charlotte Observer. Visit charlotteobserver.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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