Flying cat has own passport

Flying feline falls at the final hurdle on trip

HE HAD his own passport, a valid ticket and nothing to declare.

But feline flyer Puss didn’t stand a cat in hell’s chance of getting past customs when he jetted into Tyneside.

The black cat arrived at Newcastle International Airport on board a flight from Paris Charles de Gaulle, France.

Carried in a holdall with the end cut off, he had travelled in his own seat, with a valid 60 euro ticket and presented an up-to-date passport to UK Border Agency staff.

The moggy was set to be reunited with his owner, who has moved to Tyneside, but was taken into quarantine once discovered by immigration officers, who have called him Puss.

He started his journey in Toulouse, where his ticket was bought. From there, he took an internal flight to Paris and connected with the Newcastle service.

Puss was being escorted by a male passenger, who sat next to him on the flight and carried him into the main airport terminal after landing.

A gauze covered the end in the bag holding him.

The travel companion is the father of a man who has moved to the North East from France and wanted his pet to join him.

But only certain UK airports allow live animals to be imported, meaning Puss had to be placed in quarantine for the time being.

An UKBA spokeswoman said: “This case simply reinforces our message that passengers must do all they can to ensure they comply with the rules on importing goods into the UK.

“This include the importation of live animals.

“For obvious reasons the UK is very strict in this area.

“The UK has specified airports which are able to accommodate the importation of live animals and Newcastle is not one of these designated airports.

“The nearest to the North East is Manchester Airport.

“These rules are in place to ensure both the safety of the animals and the safety of the UK public.

“Although the animal involved in this case was able to produce a valid air ticket and pet passport, Newcastle Airport is not equipped to handle the safe transit of animals.

“Therefore officers from UKBA had to refer the case and the animal has been initially placed in quarantine.

“If people are unsure about the rules on importing goods into the UK they should visit www.hmrc.gov.uk for more information.”