A cat caused quite a stir at a press conference ahead of Brazil’s World Cup meeting with Croatia.
As Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr sat down to chat with journalists, a cat wandered onto his table and perched itself for a prime view of the quarter-final briefing.
However, a press officer from the Brazilian national team thought it best to remove the animal, placing a hand on its neck before lifting it up by its scruff and dropping it onto the floor below.
While the cat appeared comfortable landing from the short fall, opinion was divided over the manner of its removal.
Some journalists gasped as it was manhandled while a debate began online about the incident.
Simplesmente um GATO pulou na mesa na coletiva do Vini Jr! 😺
— GOAL Brasil (@GoalBR) December 7, 2022
📹: @simpraisa pic.twitter.com/D7WCQqfeMn
One Twitter user said: “You can't immobilise cats that way, any vet who deals with cats knows that. It’s basic.”
Another tweeted: “What a horrible scene from the bearded man taking a kitten from the table, he is more animal than the cat, in a little while he will appear apologising, it's always like that.”
Some defended the press officer for having little option but to remove the cat, while one commenter posted: “He missed the chance to make a nice image for the Brazilian team, he could have left the cat there and even petted it. We're in the spotlight and the guy does it, plus you don't pick up the cat that way.”
Website Vet Street states that the proper way to pick up a cat is to hold your hand underneath its chest.
They say: “Lifting a cat or suspending its body weight by its scruff (the skin on the back of its neck) is unnecessary and potentially painful. And it’s certainly not the most respectful or appropriate way to pick up or handle your cat.
“The best way to pick up your cat under normal circumstances is to spread your hand under his chest, and as you lift, slide your other hand and forearm under his hind end to support his weight. Then pull him against your chest for more support. Holding your cat this way makes him feel less vulnerable. Your grip should be loose, but with enough contact to feel any tension.”
