BLACKWOOD, N.J. – An enormously fat cat, Prince Chunk, who became famous when he was found wandering in New Jersey after his owner lost her home to foreclosure, has died.
Prince Chunk’s adoptive owner, Vince Damiani of Blackwood, said the white tabby died in his sleep last Sunday. He was about 10 years old. Damiani said a veterinarian had diagnosed the cat with heart disease.
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Prince Chunk skyrocketed to fame in August 2008 after the Camden County Animal Shelter, which took him in, reported that he weighed 44 pounds, just shy of a world record.
Damiani believes that estimate may have been somewhat exaggerated. He said Prince Chunk weighed 22 pounds when he brought the cat home from the shelter.
Prince Chunk soon became a media sensation, appearing on “Good Morning America,” “Live with Regis and Kelly,” the covers of the New York tabloids and in People magazine.
The Damiani family was chosen from among 500 applicants to adopt him.
The pet’s plight inspired the Damianis to establish the Prince Chunk Foundation, a nonprofit that helps financially distressed pet owners keep their animals. The foundation operates in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York and California.
Its mission is to prevent animal homelessness by providing temporary assistance to dog and cat owners, including free emergency vet care and pet food, Damiani said.
What’s that smell? Willie Nelson arrested for pot after tour bus search
SIERRA BLANCA, Texas – A U.S. Border Patrol spokesman says country singer Willie Nelson was charged with marijuana possession after 6 ounces was found aboard his tour bus in Texas.
Patrol spokesman Bill Brooks said the bus pulled into the Sierra Blanca checkpoint about 9 a.m. Friday. Brooks said an officer smelled pot when a door was opened and a search turned up pot.
Brooks said the Hudspeth County sheriff was contacted and Nelson, 77, was among three people arrested.
Sheriff Arvin West didn’t immediately return a phone message left at his home Friday, but he told the El Paso Times that Nelson claimed the marijuana was his. Nelson was held briefly on a $2,500 bond before being freed.
Elaine Schock, a spokeswoman for the singer, declined to comment in response to an Associated Press e-mail.
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