ONE of her nine lives was hanging precariously at 20 metres above ground but thanks to the bravery and skill of 19-year-old tree surgeon Denny Sweet, this moggy survived the ordeal and has lived to climb another tree.

The tortoiseshell moggy spent four days stranded 75ft up a pine tree in a garden in Queen's Park Avenue, Bournemouth, after being chased there on Thursday February 3 by Tom the golden retriever.

The RSPCA and a crew from Dorset Fire and Rescue tried over the weekend to reach the cat, but in her fear she only climbed further up.

Returning to the garden yesterday (February 7), the RSPCA and a team from Wimborne-based tree surgeons Keith Banyard attempted again to reach the terrified cat.

But as Denny scaled the tree that had been her home for four days, the cat jumped to a much taller adjoining pine where she quickly shot up to the top.

Denny shuffled up in hot pursuit and eventually reached her, although for a moment it looked as if she would jump again down on to a lower canopy.

But as he coaxed her over to safety, a collective sigh of relief and spontaneous applause erupted from RSPCA officer Nicky Anthony, the rest of the Banyard team and Stephanie Knifeld and 11-year-old son Joel, who live at the address, who were all standing below.

Back down on terra firma, Denny said: "I've never rescued a cat before. It was great. She's a lovely cat."

Nicky said: "I'm going to take her to the RSPCA animal centre at Ashley Heath where she'll be checked over by a vet and given some food."

The cat's ordeal comes just days after the Echo reported on how Bournemouth moggy Misty had scrambled up a telegraph pole to escape some unwanted canine attention, before being rescued by resident Richard Broome.

Nicky Anthony is appealing for the unknown cat's owner to come forward. For more details call 0870 010 1849.

First published: February 8