Paws to remember legendary Tiggy.. the mouse detective

Published on Thursday 8 January 2009 08:50

HE was awarded a CID badge of commendation from the police for his mice detection skills, spent ten years of his life living at St Leonard's Police Station and was described by his owner as "a local legend".

But after a life of crime-fighting, Tiggy the St Leonard's police community cat, has passed away at the grand old age of 20.

Police today paid tribute to a "faithful and dedicated servant" and said they would be making a contribution to an animal charity in his memory.

The owner of the ginger tom, Robert Soper, 43, of St Leonard's Crag, Edinburgh, said: "He lived between the police station, my home, the Jeanie Deans pub and a house in St Leonard's Bank with a lady who has a lot of cats.

"Although he was my cat he spent about ten years of his life living at the St Leonard's police station and became a bit of a local legend around the area."

While Tiggy was held close to the hearts of many in the St Leonard's community, few people were fonder of their feline friend than staff at St Leonard's police station.

Mr Soper said: "They completely turned one of the three kennels in the car park into a house for him.

"It had everything in it – a climbing pole, a bed, toys, all sorts of different foods for him including fresh fish and chicken – he was spoilt rotten.

"Next to the back door there was another mini-house for him, which they let him sleep in during the day.

"It had a CID badge for commendation cemented to the top of it, which Tiggy was awarded ten years ago for clearing the police station of mice and rats on two occasions, after the right people failed to do the job properly."

Tiggy outlived his brother Pickles who died aged six, as well as two of his kittens.

Administration supervisor Mr Soper added: "20 years is an incredibly long time for a cat to live, he definitely exceeded the average life expectancy for a cat, which is between 12 and 14 years.

"The night that his son Thomas went into the vets around three years ago was the first night in over ten years that Tiggy stayed at home.

"Thomas didn't come home from the vets and after that Tiggy never stayed out (for the night] ever again. Before that happened you just couldn't get him to stay in the house."

Mr Soper took Tiggy to the Braid Veterinary Hospital to be put down on Saturday as the cat was suffering from breathing difficulties.

A police spokeswoman said: "It is with great sadness that the officers and staff of St Leonard's police station have learned of Tiggy's passing on.

"He was a faithful and dedicated servant to the station, providing companionship through even the loneliest of night shifts, and his mice detection skills were second to none.

"To commemorate his service, Lothian and Borders Police will be making a contribution to the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home."

Tiggy was named after Mrs Tiggy-Winkle, the Beatrix Potter character, as Mr Soper is a fan of the author's books.