Tipper's got just eight lives left.

The gray and white tabby made a lucky 911 call Wednesday while choking on his flea collar. The cat knocked the telephone off the hook while struggling and somehow hit the No. 1 on the key pad, which automatically dialed 911.On the other end, Hillsborough sheriff's dispatcher Elena Arroyo heard strange sounds that seemed like howling. She kept the line open and sent deputy Joe Banforth to check it out.

Banforth arrived at the mobile home of Gail Curtis, who was out. Hearing the cat inside, the deputy got the key from the park manager.

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Tipper was in a corner, the flea collar rolled up in his mouth. The deputy and a maintenance worker quieted the cat and removed the collar. Tipper is now just fine.

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