FOR ALMOST a decade, Bonnie the cat has sidled up to customers in their local and offered them some friendly company as they sip their pints.

Regulars at the popular Vine pub in Tarring, Worthing, have followed her progress from meek kitten to bar-stool veteran.

But now a dog-owning couple are about to move in and the company that owns the pub intends to remove Bonnie from her home by next Wednesday. Since hearing the news at the weekend, more than 100 pub-goers have signed a petition pleading for Bonnie to stay.

Organiser Ricky Horgan, a drinker at The Vine for 15 years, said: "She's part of the furniture.

"Whenever you come here, she's

friendly to everyone. The support for our campaign shows just how much she's loved.

"They can't just get rid of her. The place would never be the same. She's not wild, eccentric or anything, but she's a good pub cat."

In her early days, Bonnie lived with the then owners' dog, Roly, without any bother, and today one of her best friends is a 15-year-old collie called Henrietta.

Henrietta's owner, accountant Ivor Calder, said: "They've always been fine together, so it seems a bit strange to say she won't get on with the new couple's dog.

"They are really good with animals here. They even sell dog biscuits behind the bar, which Henrietta loves. Why can't they be as friendly towards cats?"

Bonnie was brought to The Vine by owners John and Anita Chambers nine years ago to add a homely atmosphere to the pub.

They retired in 1997 and sold the pub to Dorset-based Woodhouse Inns Ltd.

Anita said: "It's been her only home. When we left we wanted to take her with us. She wouldn't leave, absolutely refused, so she had to stay there. I still miss her even now. She's very much a pub cat."

She is even listed as one of the pub's assets.

Andrew Tull, trade manager of the Dorset brewery, explained its decision to remove her from the premises.

He said: "The trouble is the new manager has got a little bull terrier who is very cat-unfriendly. For the cat's well-being and that of the dog we are planning to foster Bonnie out for a while.

"After the dog's been in the pub a bit of time and got used to being there, we will try to reintroduce her.

"It's a very difficult situation. We can hardly ask the new managers to leave a long-time family pet behind.

"We are trying to make sure there's no bloodshed in the pub and hopefully the dog and the cat will soon be able to live together peacefully."

Bonnie fan Ken Pumphrey, an engineering manager of Lindum Road, said: "If she leaves, people will end up voting with their feet."

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