An Amazon delivery driver went viral several weeks ago after a clip showed him taking a family's pet cat off their porch in Bakersfield, California.
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However, Joshua Gonzalez said he had a good reason for picking up the feline. He said it is his cat.
The Amazon Driver Recognized His Cat
As reported by the New York Post, Gonzalez said he recognized the four-legged friend when dropping off a package. He heard a meow, looked down, and saw the furry friend.
"I recognized it was my cat because of its distinct forehead design, the eyes, and how the body was set," said Gonzalez. "I knew it was my cat. So I just grabbed him and walked off."
He adopted the cat last October for his 7-year-old daughter. The driver has also produced documents showing the cat belongs to his family and has brought them to his boss at Amazon.
"My manager calls me. Says to come pick up my check before Monday or Tuesday, and that I was being terminated," Gonzalez said.
The online retailer said that he is no longer allowed to deliver packages for the company.
"We've been in contact with the driver's employer, and the driver is no longer allowed to deliver Amazon packages," it said. "We'll continue to work with law enforcement and will defer to them for details as they investigate."
The Homeowner Disagrees With Gonzalez
While Gonzalez says the cat is home and happy, Brenda Wilson says her family has owned the cat, which she named Junie, for over five years. She confirmed that Gonzalez used to live in her neighborhood.
Gonzalez knows taking the cat from Wilson's porch is not a good look. However, he believes he didn't do anything wrong because he says the cat is his.
No criminal charges have been filed against the driver. The local sheriff's office says investigators are looking into whether Gonzalez or Wilson owns the cat.
"I didn't do anything bad, but get my cat back. And it's now in the rightful home. It's back where it belongs," he said. "It's like a person who is looking for their cat — I'm a person who was looking for my cat — I got my cat back. I found it. And I took possession of my cat. Like anybody else would do."
