Man Dies After Falling From Ladder While Trying to Rescue His Cat

A Fatal Attempt to Save His Pet

On Monday, September 1, 2025, in the small commune of Saint-Antoine-de-Breuilh, near Bordeaux, a dramatic accident turned tragic. According to local outlets Sud Ouest and Ici Périgord, the elderly man had set up a double ladder to reach his cat, which was stranded in a tree on a neighboring property.

At around 5 p.m., while climbing to rescue the animal, the man lost his balance and fell more than six meters. Emergency responders, including firefighters, gendarmes, and paramedics from the SAMU, rushed to the scene. Sadly, despite their efforts, the man was declared dead at the scene.

His Wife Injured in the Accident

The tragedy did not end there. As the ladder fell, it struck the man’s 68-year-old wife on the shoulder. She was taken to the hospital in Sainte-Foy-la-Grande with injuries that required medical treatment.

The community has been left shaken by the accident, which underlines both the lengths people will go to for their beloved pets and the risks such situations can present.

Cats in Trees: A Common Yet Risky Situation

Cats often climb high into trees out of curiosity or fear, but they don’t always know how to climb back down. While the instinct to help is natural, experts advise against attempting dangerous rescues without professional assistance. Firefighters or animal rescue organizations are better equipped to handle such delicate and risky operations.

Love and Risk Intertwined

This heartbreaking story illustrates the deep love many owners have for their pets—a devotion so strong that it can sometimes end in tragedy. For this family, the attempt to save a beloved cat ended with an irreplaceable loss.