If one has followed the story of poor Twix the Cat, then one knows of the firestorm and anger generated by his preventable early death. However, this sad tale is a good example of withholding judgement regarding any newsworthy story, even those from reputable sources concerning innocuous subjects.

The story went that Twix, roaming free on a train, was nabbed by a mean conductor and booted into the snow without any concern he may have belonged to a human passenger. He was discovered dead and frozen seven hours later somewhere around Kirov. The public howled for the head of the conductor. But as often happens, the facts were a little different.

Он уточнил, что в вагоне работали камеры видеонаблюдения. Изучив их, РЖД получила «достаточно интересное видео», из которого следует, что в Кирове хозяин кота вышел прогуляться на перрон, потом вернулся и залез на свою полку. В тот же момент, когда он забирался на место, Твикс ускользнул из переноски на полу и убежал. «Практически синхронизировано, там разница в несколько секунд», — отметил глава ФПК.

С его слов, на записи видно, что проводник несколько раз прошла с котом мимо его же хозяина, когда опрашивала пассажиров. Однако тот «почему-то не идентифицировал» своего питомца. О пропаже Твикса проводнице сообщили спустя более семи часов, поэтому его уже не успели найти и спасти, подчеркнул Пястолов.

ENG:

He specified that CCTV cameras worked in the car. Having studied them, Russian Railways received « a rather interesting video », from which it follows that in Kirov the owner of the cat went out for a walk on the platform, then returned and climbed onto his shelf. At the same moment, when he climbed into place, Twix slipped out of the carry on the floor and ran away. « Practically synchronized, there is a difference of a few seconds », — the head of the FPK noted.

From his words, the record shows that the conductor passed several times with a cat past his own owner when she interviewed passengers. However, that « for some reason did not identify » his pet. The conductor reported the loss of Twix after more than seven hours, therefore, they did not have time to find and save him, Pyastolov emphasized.

A tragedy but not the one we were initially told about. That’s the way it usually is, especially if the news is about something that matters geopolitically or economically. Watch, wait, and take care with discernment.

Also, please watch your pets!

(Twix, RIP.)