SPENCERPORT, N.Y. — Spencerport Fire District Chief Jake Bromage criticized the tactics his crews used while trying to rescue a cat stuck in a tree after a 911 call on Oct. 3. The cat was euthanized the next day.
Spencerport Volunteer Fire Department apologizes for incident that ended up killing a cat. pic.twitter.com/F5VKxqHrt7
— Bob Lonsberry (@BobLonsberry) October 7, 2025
Bromage told WHAM the firefighters’ actions “were not appropriate” and “not how we do business.” In a statement, he added: “We value our community’s trust, and this fell short of the professionalism our neighbors expect and deserve.”
Bromage declined to discuss any discipline but said the department is updating its standard operating guidelines.
A bystander video showed the cat being tossed from the tree by firefighters with a hoseline. Firefighters were staged near the tree, ready to catch the cat, but it hit the ground.
How would your department have handled this call?
