Cat recovering after doctors say it may have been stuck for over a week on LIRR tracks

LONG ISLAND (WABC) -- Medical experts say the cat known as "Garfield," rescued from the Long Island Railroad tracks, was actually trapped for at least a week.

Garfield is recovering at Cat Kitten Solution and had a long operation on Thursday night.

It took a coordinated effort between the MTA, the Long Island Railroad, cat rescue experts, and doctors to save the Orange Tabby, who was struck by a train and then stuck between the 3rd rails.

It happened on the Babylon line near Lindenhurst on Sunday.

Expert doctors now believe Garfield could have been struck well before Sunday.

"Everything was necrotic and infected. So it has to be at least a week. Minimum," Dr. Thomas Infernuso, with Animal Surgical Center, said.

The cat's surgeon said it took 4 hours to repair Garfield's injuries.

The injuries included two broken hind legs, one shattered front leg, and a fracture on his nasal bone so severe that it nearly penetrated the wall between his sinus and brain.

"What is quite impressive is how resilient this animal is. Three hours later, he started eating. I think he was basically starving," Infernuso said.

"The overnight doctor's like, this cat is a miracle," Infernuso said.

Those who rescued him were shocked by Garfield's resilience and his demeanour.

"No sign of aggression, no biting, no hissing, and no clawing at anyone. Happy to be alive, basically," John DeBacker with Long Island Cat Kitten Solution said.

Just like the character for which he's named, this Garfield loves food.

After extensive rehab, rescuers plan to find him a forever home where he'll hopefully live out his 8 other lives with no drama.

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