Verizon Worker Who Rescued Philly Cat Gets National Attention

PHILADELPHIA — The story of a Verizon worker being suspended after saving a cat from atop a utility pole in Philadelphia caught the attention of late night talk show host Stephen Colbert and animal rights group PETA.

Maurice German was suspended by Verizon for 15 days after violating company rules by saving a cat that was stuck on a utility pole in Philadelphia's Port Richmond neighborhood.

After word of the suspension made headlines, the public rallied behind German and raised roughly $10,000 for him through various GoFundMe campaigns.

Now, PETA said it is sending a "Hero to Animals Award" to German for his good deed in rescuing the cat, who is named Momma.

"We need more people like Maurice German, who's a hero for pulling this petrified cat to safety—and his selflessness and swift action should be lauded, not punished," PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman said. "PETA is thrilled to recognize this compassionate citizen and is calling on Verizon to reverse his grossly unwarranted suspension immediately."

PETA also sent a letter to Verizon urging the company to reverse his suspension.

As for Colbert, he joked about the incident, saying the cat was simply waiting for a Verizon worker in the appointment window time given.

Momma was on the pole for about 12 hours.

"That's a long time," Colbert said on the program. "But then the Verizon guy did say he would be there between 8 a.m. and midnight."

Colbert went on to call German a hero and told his audience of his 15-day suspension, which drew jeers from the studio crowd.

He lambasted Verizon for their decision to suspend him for the good deed.

"It sounds bad, but it makes sense given Verizon's slogan: Verizon. Let the cat die," Colbert joked.