Posted: 15 February 2011 2103 hrs
LONDON - British Prime Minister David Cameron
unveiled the newest recruit to 10 Downing Street Tuesday: a cat
called Larry with a "very strong predatory drive" for catching
rodents.
The four-year-old tabby joined Cameron and his family from London's
Battersea Dogs and Cats Home to tackle pest control issues after a
rodent was spotted on the steps of the most famous front door in
the land.
Just last month the British government said there were no plans to
bring in a new cat, but the prime minister's official spokesman
said Tuesday that Cameron had "certainly been persuaded that it was
a good idea".
"Whilst in Battersea's care, Larry showed a very strong predatory
drive and enjoyed playing with toy mice," the spokesman said.
"Before coming to Battersea, Larry was a stray so he was used to
fending for himself in the streets.
"Nothing is ever guaranteed but his behaviour at Battersea
convinced staff that he'll be up for the job of ratting."
Larry's appointment comes after a rat was spotted in two television
news bulletins scurrying around outside the black door of the prime
minister's residence in central London.
There has been no Downing Street cat since Sybil, who moved in with
then finance minister Alistair Darling in 2007 but returned to
Edinburgh after six months, having failed to settle in central
London.
Sybil was the first cat to live in the street since the legendary
Humphrey, a stray who took up residence under prime minister
Margaret Thatcher and outstayed John Major.
Tony Blair sent Humphrey into retirement in 1997 amid persistent
speculation that his wife Cherie forced him out.
Humphrey was on the payroll, receiving 100 pounds (US$160) a year
from the Cabinet Office budget.
But with Cameron's coalition government facing public anger over
sweeping cuts to public services, there was no immediate word on
where funding for Larry would come from.
- AFP/ir
