Larry The Downing Street Cat Goes Viral After Chasing Off A Fox From Outside No.10

In the past, the chief mouser has tangled with a pigeon while stalking Downing Street.
Larry the Downing Street cat sits on the pavement in front of 10 Downing Street.
Larry the Downing Street cat sits on the pavement in front of 10 Downing Street.
Leon Neal via Getty Images

Larry the Downing Street cat has gone viral again – this time for going above and beyond his official brief.

As “chief mouser”, the tabby is expected to keep mice away from No. 10.

But in a positive sign that at least something is functioning at the heart of government, Larry has been captured on camera chasing a fox from outside the prime minister’s official residence.

Footage captured by Sky News shows the determined tabby slowing stalking an emaciated looking fox before springing into action.

Fox off.pic.twitter.com/rEn6GRWSs2

— Larry the Cat (@Number10cat) October 10, 2022

Larry was only four years old when he was adopted from Battersea Dogs and Cats home to begin his new life in politics and has served as a trusted companion to David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson and now Liz Truss.

Recruited in 2011, he was Britain’s first chief mouser at No.10 since stalwart ratter, Humphrey, retired in 1997.

In December 2020, Larry was caught in a scuffle with a pigeon. The tabby stalked the bird outside the prime minister’s official residence as members of the press watched on with their cameras poised.

When US president Donald Trump visited in 2019, Larry was seen creating a potential security threat by taking his afternoon nap under the president’s car, named The Beast.

Security incident in Downing Street after Larry the Cat tries to get inside The Beast.

He is currently sat underneath the car meaning it can’t move. pic.twitter.com/ZxQIwzOD4S

— Charlie Proctor (@MonarchyUK) June 4, 2019

Even something as simple as getting caught in the rain was enough to melt the hearts of the nation, and in 2018 video of a damp Larry being escorted through the front door by a kind policeman went viral.

According to the Downing Street website, Larry “spends his days greeting guests to the house, inspecting security defences and testing antique furniture for napping quality”.

It adds: “His day-to-day responsibilities also include contemplating a solution to the mouse occupancy of the house.”

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