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Under stress, cats can attack out of panic (symbolic image)
Photo: DARRIN ZAMMIT LUPI/ REUTERS
A panicked cat attacked firefighters in Munich.
Three men were injured by bites and scratches, the fire department announced on Tuesday evening.
The starting point of the operation was light smoke coming from an apartment on the second floor where there were several cats.
The fire department gained access to the apartment.
The reason for the smoke was probably burning craft materials that were found in a room.
Scramble with cat - bites and scratches
After the material had been extinguished, the emergency services brought a total of seven cats outside.
One of the animals escaped into the stairwell.
A firefighter standing there wanted to prevent the escape and grabbed the cat.
She then bit the man's thumb.
The incident commander came to help and was bitten on the hand.
A third colleague intervened and suffered several scratches.
The tenant, who had now arrived, finally took the cat from the emergency services.
After the smoke cleared, the woman was able to return to the apartment with her cats.
The three injured emergency services received medical treatment but were able to continue their duties.
ala/dpa