Banham campsite clampdown for 'aggressive' cat Harry

BBC News

19 hours ago

A campsite has complained to the owner of a neighbourhood cat that her wandering moggy was "aggressive" and could deter guests. Harry makes regular stop-offs at Applewood Countryside Park in his home village of Banham, Norfolk - but the company director claims he is far from the purr-fect visitor.In a letter, she called on Harry's owner Janet Wood to "intervene" after he allegedly attacked a guest's dog and almost caused an accident by sitting in a driveway."I wasn't really sure whether to laugh or to get a little bit upset; I'm not sure he's that intimidating," said Ms Wood, who is considering rehoming him.
"I'm really sorry he's upset people - it's a lovely campsite and the people there are lovely."He doesn't mean any harm."
Applewood's director Kiera Goymour said she had heard about Harry's behaviour from a number of less-than-happy campers. The eight-year-old puss allegedly followed a dog walker on site and became "aggressive and attacked the dog", she stated in her letter."It continued to follow and act aggressively, which ultimately forced the guest to run across the park to get away," the letter adds.The same guest had seen Harry being affectionate with people but his aggression towards dogs would "seriously deter them from visiting again", Ms Goymour wrote.On another occasion, Harry sat in front of reception, "impeding vehicle access, which nearly caused an accident due to the driver having to emergency brake whilst towing a caravan," her letter said.She urged Ms Wood to intervene for Harry's welfare and the safety of guests, or she would "have to take matters further".Ms Wood said she no-one else had complained about Harry, who follows her to the village shops.
"He's fine, he's lovely," said Jonathan Wise, of Banham Butchers."He's a cute little cat. "Sometimes when we open up he's out there waiting and will dart in hoping for a little sneaky sausage."Brian Mcallister, who runs The Barrell pub, said: "He's part of The Barrel family, and he's entertaining for everybody. He's a great character, we all love him."In a statement to the BBC, Ms Goymer said: "It was such a minor matter."I had a conversation with the owner and it was all resolved, sharing our concerns for the cat's welfare and safety as a result of customer feedback we received, and the fact that I witnessed a potential accident happen in front of reception."Ms Wood said she had had several offers of a new home for Harry."It would be sad for me to do that, but I just don't want him mistreated," she added.
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