Ethan Fenton, 5, was being bullied by some neighborhood kids who would taunt him and knock him to the ground. When the family cat saw this happen, it quickly ran out to help it’s family member, pouncing on the chest of one of the bullying boys, stunning them, and scaring them away crying.
Ethan’s mom, Sarah, told the Mirror Online that Smudge has been in the family for three years and never displayed such heroics before. The incident had one British newspaper wondering if the cat, Smudge, is “Britain’s bravest cat.”
Ethan’s mother, Sarah, witnessed the scene:
“I was keeping an eye on the boys who were playing football in the front garden,” Sarah Fenton said, according to the Mirror. “I saw three boys, who were much taller and older than Ethan, walk over to our front gate. I heard them shout Ethan’s name twice, but he ignored them and just put his head back down and kept playing with Ashton [his younger brother].”
That’s when the confrontation got serious, she said.
“But then they shouted [at] him again, and then one of the boys got in Ethan’s face and said, ‘Oi! Why are you ignoring me?’ and pushed him over,” Fenton said. “That’s when I rushed outside and saw Smudge fly out from under our car and jump on the boy’s chest. I think it was shock more than anything, but the boy stumbled backwards, burst into tears and then ran off.”
The family was shocked, in a happy kind of way, at their cat’s behavior.
“He has never done anything like that before, but it was absolutely brilliant seeing him look out for Ethan like that,” Fenton added. “He has slept outside his bedroom, keeping guard ever since it happened.”
The family, Fenton said, is happy to know it has such a brave soul in residence.
“I actually feel so much safer knowing Smudge is around after seeing him defend him like that,” she said. “He is a big part of the family, and he is more of a brother to the boys than a cat.”
Fenton said she bought Smudge when the family’s other cat died after just 18 months, calling the new cat’s introduction “love at first sight.”
Now, this is a hero’s story to tell. How often do you hear of a cat that attacks and defends its owner? Do you think the bullies got the message not to mess with Fenton again?
I’ve heard of dogs stepping in to protect their owner, but not a cat. This might be the toughest cat in the world. and may give some dogs a run for their money.
If you thought this cat was a hero, check out this video highlighting 10 additional hero cats:
What do you think of this heroic cat? Do you have a pet that would jump to your rescue? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!