In the Kersenboogerd district of Hoorn, a drowned cat was fished out of the water again last night. It has been keeping people busy for a long time, because they cannot climb out of the water themselves due to high quaysides. Ropes can offer a solution, but they are always removed. “In the meantime I have lost count of how many cats have drowned in front of the door,” says Sandra van Zijl.
According to the residents’ committee of the Hoorn district of Kersenboogerd, they are working on tackling this with the municipality. “We are now getting a beam,” said a committee member. Recently, they asked for help in a newsletter. “So that we can make the canal safer for both humans and animals. A child died about 25 years ago, and of course we want to prevent that. Just like all the cats that drown in it.”
According to local resident Sandra van Zijl, a beam is not enough. She lives on the Nieuwdoorngracht. “I hear splashes at my doorstep day and night. I have now lost count of how many there have been. As a result, I can sit in front of the door almost 24/7 to wait for something to go wrong. I myself have four cats, which I no longer let go outside.” When things go wrong again last night, she calls the animal ambulance. He fishes the cat out of the water with a hook. However, help comes too late: the cat has unfortunately already died.
Magnet fishing
A message on social media about the deceased cat generates many reactions. “How awful! And it’s not necessary,” says someone. Another: “Oh, terrible. Is it so hard to put the ropes back?”
“Yesterday I spoke to two boys who were working with low ropes along the canal,” a woman responds. “They said it’s their ropes, and they were magnet fishing. I stupidly believed them.” It is not yet clear whether these guys may have grabbed the ropes.
tug of war
The high quaysides along the canals have been a thorn in the side for local residents for years. Animals, especially cats, drown when they fall into water. In November 2021, local resident Linda Bobeldijk thinks so puts her battle on the line. A few months before, she loses her own cat, named Didi, who is two years old. She drowns due to a fall into the water on the patio.
By hanging ropes along the high walkways, cats can climb up themselves. But in recent months they have been taken away more and more often. It is not clear who is responsible for this. But according to Sandra van Zijl, it often doesn’t take a day. She comes up with a solution. “Make the walkways lower, so that the cats can climb out more easily.”