This Elmhurst Mechanic Comes To Kitten's Rescue

ELMHURST, IL — An Elmhurst resident called a number of mechanics last week to help a feral kitten that was trapped in a car's engine compartment. All refused, except Dino Tamvakis at Lake Street Auto Repair, 612 W. Lake St., police said.

On Wednesday, the Elmhurst Police Department posted to Facebook a letter of thanks from Chief Michael Ruth to Tamvakis. The incident was Aug. 12 in the 300 block of East May Street.

Tamvakis responded without delay, police said. For that, Ruth commended Tamvakis for going above and beyond to help in such a distressing situation.

"I am told that the kitten sadly did not survive the ordeal, but I understand that you spent a fair amount of time taking parts out of the engine in order to free the animal and that you refused payment for your services," Ruth said to Tamvakis. "Your willingness to help in such a terrible circumstance was truly commendable."