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Castle Cat's Decade-Long Tunnel Hideaway
12 Jul
Summary
- A cat named Tosca lived in Dover Castle tunnels for 10 years.
- Tosca arrived in 1948 to catch mice but lived a pampered life.
- The cat avoided seagulls and stole food, including beef.
A cat named Tosca spent 10 years living within the tunnels of Dover Castle. Originally arriving in 1948 to control mice, Tosca remained underground until 1958, developing a life of pampered comfort.
Curators described Tosca, whose full name was Toscanini, as a beloved trickster. He was known for stealing food, including a joint of beef destined for Christmas dinner, and for his attempts to snatch sausages from plates.
Tosca consistently avoided the outdoors due to a fear of seagulls, which would attack him. This kept him exclusively within the castle's vast network of tunnels, where he reportedly caused mischief and was well-loved by the staff.
Hattie Hartly, a visitor assistant for English Heritage at Dover Castle, noted that Tosca was spoiled with treats and that his presence was a welcome addition for everyone on site, as there were no other animals.
