A KITTEN has set the fur flying after being branded a dangerous animal by council officials.

Sasha, a six-month-old, pure white cat is 'lovely natured and friendly', according to her owner, Dirk Kriete.

But Pendle Council says she is a danger to its employees after she scratched building inspector Len Ward's shoulder and tore his clothing.

Mr Kriete, of Duke Street, Winewall, near Trawden, was amazed by the decision to put Sasha on the council's dangerous animal register, two months after the alleged incident in June. He said: "It's all ridiculous and a waste of taxpayers' money.

"Sasha is a really bonnie little kitten and she was only about four months old at the time. The only thing she might be responsible for is purring too much.

"I very much resent the allegation that I'm the keeper of a dangerous animal and I have asked the council to remove this kitten from that list."

In a letter to Mr Kriete, environmental health and urban renewal manager Trevor Mitton, said: "On his return to the office, the officer concerned felt the need to see the council's first aid person who witnessed the scratches to his skin and tears to his clothing. They both then came to my office and I, too, witnessed the damage."

Mr Mitton today defended the action by Len Ward and the council.

He said: "It's council policy when an employee is attacked by animals, which are usually dogs, that they fill in a form and it goes to health and safety. It is then put on the database as a warning to other members of staff who may have to call at that house. It was a serious matter."

He said the database mainly listed dogs which tended to have bitten someone and he admitted it was unusual for a cat to be on it.

The register shows the cat as belonging to Mr Kriete's next door neighbour, Brian Jackson, because that is where the incident took place.

Mr Jackson said: "Next door's kitten wandered in while Mr Ward was there and jumped on my shoulder, just playing. I put her down and then she jumped on Mr Ward's shoulder and scared him. But he said he was fine.

"Two months later I got a letter saying my house had been put on the database and I don't even have a cat. I asked them to either take me off or give me a terror gerbil."

The council has said it will remove Mr Jackson from the database and will now have further discussions with Mr Kriete about the situation.