In Stavropol Region, Police Cat Dies on Duty

Cat Rusik that is known nationwide in Russia for his unique profession - the police cat of the Stavropol region - has recently died on duty. REN-TV reported, Rusik had been ran over by car. That was exactly the car, in which the cat found a fish hidden by poachers several years ago. Local police officers suspect, the cat has crossed the line of the organized crime and his death is nothing but a previously-planned assassination.

The Stavropol region of Russia borders on Caspian territories, it is used to detect illegal trafficking of the valuable sturgeon fish (the fish is on the edge of extinction). A lot of poachers are rather active in those areas, catching sturgeon for its very expensive caviar, which is in great demand in Moscow and in other Russian cities. Experts say, 95 percent of black caviar is illegally produced in the Caspian region. Poachers crave for profits, and their ambition has become extremely dangerous to the fish.

The homeless cat appeared at a police station in the Stavropol region a year ago. Police officers liked him and started feeding him with pieces of fish that had been confiscated from criminals. The fish food helped the cat to learn how to smell specific fish odours perfectly. The cat was very helpful to find the fish hidden in trucks and cars - he was even more helpful than a trained dog.

Russian media outlets have not reported yet, if Stavropol police officers have any plans to raise another patrol cat.