VIDEO: Cat Rescued From Active LIRR Tracks In Lindenhurst After Power Shutoff: MTA Police

LINDENHURST, NY — A cat found lying between active Long Island Rail Road tracks was safely rescued Sunday evening after MTA police temporarily shut off power to allow officers to reach the animal, authorities said.

The rescue occurred Sunday around 6:30 p.m. on the Babylon Branch between Lindenhurst and Babylon, when a train engineer reported spotting a cat on the tracks, according to MTA police.

The engineer initially believed the cat was dead, but later saw it move and contacted local cat rescuer John DeBacker, who then notified MTA police, authorities said.

Officers responded to the scene around 6:55 p.m. and found an orange tabby cat cowering between the rails, police said.

To safely access the animal, officers requested assistance from the Long Island Rail Road to temporarily cut power to the tracks. Power was shut off for about three minutes, allowing officers to approach without risk, police said.

The cat was successfully removed around 7:33 p.m.

The animal, later named “Garfield,” appeared scared but uninjured at the time of the rescue and was transported to South Shore Feral Care in West Babylon, a facility that specializes in cat care and adoptions, according to police.

The cat's condition is expected to be further evaluated by veterinary staff.

There were no reported service disruptions as a result of the rescue, police said.