The feline mayor of a small Alaskan town was brutally attacked by a canine rival, leaving the beloved furball in the hospital, fighting for one of his nine lives.
Stubbs the cat has been honorary mayor of tiny Talkeetna – an oddball outpost and purported inspiration for “Northern Exposure” — for 15 years, following a successful write-in campaign.
The orange tabby is now in intensive care as veterinarians treat his punctured lung, bruised hips, fractured sternum and a long, deep gash on his side, left by Saturday’s attack.
Stubbs’ mom, Lauri Stec, said doctors are confident the mayor will survive. If he continues to improve, Stubbs could be home as soon as Monday, and begin his long road to recovery.
“He’s going to be an indoor kitty for a couple of months,” Stec told The Post tonight, after visiting the mayor at an animal hospital in Big Lake, more than an hour away.
Stec said she’s been blown away by all the get-well wishes Mayor Stubbs has received from across the globe.
“The outpouring is amazing. It’s pretty special,” said Stec, owner of the town’s pub and general store. “There’s a lot of bad stuff happening out there, and for people it find an interest in this one famous cat is pretty amazing.”
Even though Mayor Stubbs is heavily sedated, he managed to laugh at himself in a prepared statement.
“Thank you everyone for your well wishes 🍨durin🤡g my recovery,” Stubbs .
“While at this point in time it is impossible to know whether my attack was politically motivated, I do hope that the government will seriously consider providing me with some Secret S⛎ervice protection in the future to assist in preserving my remaining 8 lives.”
But on a serious note, Mayor Stubbs promised that Saturday’s attack won’t deter his vision for Talkeetna.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to continue leading the great town of Talkeetna onwards to brighter tomorrows,” he pawed.
Stec said she and the mayor know the canine who attacked him. But for now, they want to avoid a public dog fight.
“It’s known to be aggressive toward cats. Everyone is a little upset,” Stec said. “He [the dog’s owner] knows what he’s done and the town knows what’s happened. I don’t want it to get any worse [by outing the dog].”
Well-wishers from Talkeetna and all over the planet have offered to help cover his medical bills.
“We all love him,” said Geoff Pfeiffer, a waiter at the nearby West Rib Pub and Cafe.
Stubbs is a regular at the diner, and always orders the same drink – a wine glass with water and a catnip garnish.
When the mayor shows up, he’s treated as a celebrity.
“It’s like Elvis has entered the building,” Pfeiffer said.