Cat survives being stuck in car engine

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - One cat is lucky to be alive after a close encounter with a car engine.

This cat, now named Milk, was brought into the Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society last week. She had been hiding in a car engine seeking shelter and warmth. When the car was started, Milk was severely injured.

Veterinarian Kate Spaulding says that she is lucky to have survived. "The end of her tail, probably about 2 inches or so, was actually torn off; exposing the bone and the underlying muscle, and then her ear was also very swollen and had skin missing on it," she said.

Milk underwent surgery to remove the rest of her tail. When she recovers, she will be available for adoption.

Dakin suggests that people bang on the hoods of their cars before starting them to scare away any small animals that might be hiding.