VIDEO: Deira cat rescuers receive Dhs50,000 each from Sheikh Mohammed

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Four Dubai residents received a generous amount of cash from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, for rescuing a cat stuck on the ledge of a balcony on the second floor of an apartment building in Deira last week.

The video of the incident went viral.

The cat rescuers confirmed that they received a reward of Dhs50,000 each from Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid.

The Dubai Ruler thanked them for their merciful act.

Ashraf Blanza, a Moroccan national, said that he had received a reward of Dhs50,000, and that the other three who participated with him in rescuing the cat received the same amount from the Dubai Ruler.

He thanked Sheikh Mohammed for his generosity.

After the rescue operation went viral last week, Sheikh Mohammed tweeted, “Proud and happy to see such acts of kindness in our beautiful city. Whoever identifies these unsung heroes, please help us thank them.”

The video showed that the cat was unable to climb its way back to the floor due to lack of grip on the glass fence of the balcony.

After several attempts, the feline gave up. People in the neighbourhood noticed the distressed cat.

One quick thinking resident brought a bed sheet to rescue the cat.

A handful of residents gathered on site and spread the bed sheet. 

The cat realised that the people had gathered for the rescue operation.

The cat jumped and people caught it. 

The cat was inspected by residents and later given water to cool down.

Nitizens have been praising the efforts. The video was first uploaded on social media platform TikTok.

The authorities have urged everyone to contact the emergency services when they witness such a situation.

All lives matter!