A cat that fell in a vat of dangerous chemicals and escaped into the night has triggered a major health scare in western Japan.
Fukuyama locals were told to not touch or approach the cat, which left behind a trail of yellow feline pawprints that alerted morning workers to the furry hazard.
A review of CCTV footage at the Nomura Plating factory showed the cat slinking through a loading dock and then scampering out the main gate, local media reported.
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The yellow-coloured footprints are the same colour as the highly toxic hexavalent chromium chemical used by the company.
Fukuyama environment officials told residents not to touch "a cat that seems abnormal", but added the animal may have died because of the chemicals.
Hexavalent chromium can cause cancer.
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A company spokesperson told AFP they "immediately alerted" police in Fukuyama, city agencies and residents who live around the factory.
"The incident woke us up to the need to take measures to prevent small animals like cats from sneaking in, which is something we had never anticipated before."
