Bart the cat is at the centre of a custody battle after emerging from the grave

BART the cat garnered the world’s attention when he clawed his way out of a grave after five days. Now those who nursed him back to health are being sued.

Custody battle over ‘zombie’ cat

BART the cat made headlines around the world last month after the resilient feline clawed its way out of a grave, days after being buried.

The cat’s owner, a 52-year-old Floridian man had found his pet lifeless on the road and proceeded to bury the animal which he presumed was dead.

However five days later, Bart turned up in a neighbours yard with a broken jaw and ruptured eye.

RELATED: Zombie cat: ‘Killed’ kitty claws out of grave five days after burial.

The cat has since been taken in by the Humane Society in Tampa Bay and been treated for its injuries, and mercifully is on the road to recovery.

But now the owner, Ellis Hutson, has served the animal centre with a court order in an effort to reclaim ownership of Bart.

In this Jan. 27, 2015 photo made available by the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, Lori Piper, right, and Aleks Gramza treat Bart, a severely injured cat.

The centre that has been nursing the cat back to health has maintained a blog updating the public on his recovery and the now pending legal matter of his custody.

At the centre of the dispute is the suitability of Mr. Hutson as an owner after last month’s incidents.

While Mr. Hutson claims that the Humane Society are using him as a publicity tool to raise donations.

The centre has been offered free legal representation by a local firm and intends to fight the lawsuit.

Bart has fortunately made a recovery.

Originally published as Bart the cat is at the centre of a custody battle after emerging from the grave