Celebrity cat killed in hit and run
A MUCH-loved Barne Barton cat who made headlines around the world has died after being hit by a car.
Casper the commuting cat fast became a celebrity on Plymouth buses when he used to politely queue with the other passengers, before hopping aboard to travel around the city.
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Casper
His owner says she’s devastated and doubts she’ll ever have a cat like Casper again.
Sue Finden said: “I never dreamt I’d miss an animal as much as I miss him. He was lovely and loved people so much – he was such a different character.”
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She said she only found out about his death when a woman knocked on her door to tell her she’d seen Casper get hit by a car, but the driver hadn’t stopped.
She took Casper into the house but realised he’d already died.
“If he’d been ill we might have prepared for it but it hasn’t helped us that the driver didn’t stop – we couldn’t believe it.”
Sue discovered Casper’s escapades when he followed her onto a bus and a First Devon and Cornwall bus driver said he travelled with them all the time.
The Plymouth puss featured on websites from England’s tabloids to the USA’s mystateline.com.
Headlines Casper enjoyed included ‘Stowaway Cat gets bus-ted’, in The Sun while The Press Association went with ‘Joyrider Casper given a puss pass’. He also appeared on a diverse range of other websites.
He proved a hit with drivers and customers alike, who always made sure he returned home safely.
Casper’s journey took him from just outside his house in Poole Park Road to the final stop at Royal Parade and back, via St Budeaux Square, HMS Drake, Keyham, Devonport and Stonehouse.
Mrs Finden added: “I thought it was only decent that I let the public know what had happened to him as he made so many friends and would turn up to the bus stop like clockwork.”
She posted a notice at Casper’s usual bus stop in Poole Park Road, saying: “Many local people knew Casper, who loved everyone. He also 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.”
Marc Reddy, Managing Director of First Devon and Cornwall, expressed the company’s sympathy for the friendly feline.
He said: “We were devastated to hear that Casper had been involved in an accident; he was a regular passenger on Service 3 in Plymouth and had become very well known across the business.
“On hearing the news of his death, many of the drivers expressed sympathy for him and Susan, and we contacted her to offer our collective condolences.
“Casper touched many people’s lives and clearly had a very exciting life – travelling around Plymouth and who knows where else. I suspect he’s now exploring heaven and is telling all the other cats up there about the many adventures he had.”
Casper was so popular that an image of him was emblazoned onto the side of a First Devon and Cornwall bus.
Mr Reddy said: “Casper’s image will remain on the bus for some time to come, and we hope that seeing it around town will give Susan some comfort.”
He added that Casper is also due to feature in a children’s TV programme later this year, detailing his exploits on the bus in the city.
“His memory will live on, giving people pleasure, for a while yet,” he added.
Mrs Finden said that Casper had been cremated at a local vets crematorium.
She would like to thank the woman who let her know that Casper had been hit.
Comments
by Alex, Sydney, Australia
Monday, December 06 2010, 11:40AM
“I just picked up Susan's book on Casper during one of my freqeuent business trips. I had not heard of Casper until I read the book. As a passionate cat owner myself, this book was very emotional. Susan's love for all of her pets is self evident and the emotion was raw.
It's so sad that Casper is no longer here however he has left an amazing legacy that most human's will never achieve.
Susan, i'm sure Casper is in heaven looking down on you with love and pride that you were his mum.
RIP Casper. Your memory lives on forever.”
by jewels, south dennis MA
Wednesday, March 03 2010, 9:19PM
“casper i hope you rest in peace and to whom it may concern i lost my cat to i dont know what happened but i never saw her again i feel ur pain peeps”
by AD, Bristol
Tuesday, February 16 2010, 12:26PM
“I don't think anyone's questioning the tragic nature of events going on in Haiti, Afghanistan etc. But people obviously enjoyed following Casper's lovely story so let them enjoy the memories and pass their condolonces on to his owner. If you don't care, don't waste your time writing cynical remarks. So sorry to hear the news, he looked to be a lovely little chap and I'm sure he'll be sorely missed by all who cared for him. Xx”
by Jacqueline Miller, Buenos Aires - Argentina
Thursday, February 11 2010, 12:25PM
“I read the terrible news yesterday and since then I feel a deep sorrow. Casper is now in animal heaven playing with all our beloved pets that passed away. My condolences to Sue and all who loved him.”
by João Oliveira Leonardo, Lisboa, Portugal
Friday, February 05 2010, 10:32PM
“Casper RIP,
My condolences to Susan”
by Karly, Indianapolis, USA
Tuesday, February 02 2010, 2:59AM
“My sympathies to Casper's family. He seemed like a wonderful and very "human" cat. To all those criticizing that he was allowed to roam, the cat obviously had a life of his own and enjoyed it to the fullest, that is better than 15 years cooped up and restless for this kitty. To those that say this news shouldn't be "news".. well I guess you can't get enough of dead humans and misery around the world 24/7 that you can do little about, I for one do get tired of it. To those that think it's funny for a cat to be killed in this way, well, Karma has a funny way of teaching people, if one of your kids or grandkids is struck by a car, remember your heartlessness about somebody elses loss in the same manner and learn a lesson before it's too late.”
by Matt, plymouth
Saturday, January 30 2010, 2:22PM
“some of these comments on here are cold hearted. yeah so casper was a cat but he was a cat with brains . he knew where to get off the bus everytime he had guts unlike the driver who hit him. i do feel sorry for his owner as i know what its like to lose something/one close to your heart long live casper maybe a god memerorial woul dbe good
R.I.P little man i sure your puss pass will never expire”
by Ria, Ireland
Thursday, January 28 2010, 2:12PM
“My sympathies to his owner and his many, many friends- what a sad loss.”
by susan finden, Barne Barton
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 11:15PM
“Paul Harley, thank you, I know the taxi companys name, the taxi company know I know their name so does the Herlad but its not me that cant name and shame the company.I would shout from the roof tops saying their name, but sadly the Herald would risk a libel suit if they printed the name. Sue”
by Lorraine, Toronto, Ontario Canada
Wednesday, January 27 2010, 6:24PM
“I am very sorry for your loss.
While Casper was loved by everyone who met him, its still a loss that shouldn't have happened.
I volunteer in a cat rescue. I tell would be adopters that to keep their pet indoors. People still have this mindset that felines should be allowed to roam outdoors. Felines that are allowed outside live an approximately to 2 years of age. Indoor cats can live much longer, some to over 20 years of age.
There is so much danger to them, i.e., antifreeze, wild animals, dogs, coyotes, fleas, ticks and hiding under the engine to keep warm. Not to mention FIV (feline immune virus)
FIV is contracted through contact with a cat that is already carrying the virus. The most common way that it is passed is though saliva, especially during cat fights. A cat can become infected during mating and kittens can contract FIV from their mother. Occasionally, FIV can be passed between cats that are sharing a litter box and food or water dishes, though exchange of body fluids is the biggest factor.
Just the other day my husband found a dead,half eaten cat behind our home.
There has been two sitings of coyotes. There homes are being destroyed by homes being built in the area.
Also, upsetting neighbours.”