Locals in a city in western Japan have been instructed not to get close to or touch a stray cat that entered a container of harmful substances and then ran away into the night.
A worker at a metal plating plant in Fukuyama discovered feline footprints leading away from the container on Monday morning.
The company released unclear security camera footage showing the furry fugitive escaping from the factory. The cat seemed unharmed as it fled from the factory.The vat, which was three meters (10 feet) deep, contained carcinogenic hexavalent chromium that can cause skin inflammation.
A company representative informed AFP that they promptly informed the police, the city of Fukuyama, and nearby residents about the incident without revealing their identity.
The company representative stated, “We realized the need to take precautions to prevent small animals like cats from entering, which was something we hadn't anticipated before.”
Local authorities advised residents to refrain from touching the cat and to promptly notify the police if they encounter it.
As of Tuesday afternoon, there have been no reports of the cat being seen.
by Agence France-Presse
