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A mum had to let her crying toddler stand on the bus because a cat in a pram was taking up the last pushchair space.

Mia Jade Wilson, 26, was on a bus service going into Leeds when she noticed an unnamed woman arguing with the driver.

She claims the driver told the mum she could either fold up the pram and carry it on or wait for another bus.

The driver said the maximum number of two prams were already on board and was in Mia pointed out one pram had a cat inside.

Mia took a photo of the 'ridiculous' situation and slammed the bus company First for putting 'cats before humans'.

(Image: Mercury Press)

Mia, from Leeds, said: "I just found it ridiculous that a cat in a pram would take priority over a child in a pram.

"At first, when I saw the bus driver refuse her on, I stood up and stood by the doors whilst I asked the driver if he knew it was a cat in the pram.

"The driver on the bus said she either had to wait for the next bus or fold her pram down, and she had loads of things under her pram, making it hard for her to fold down.

"The driver just said only two prams are allowed on at any one time. I even turned to the lady with the cat and asked her if she could move to the other side.

"I told the driver there was a cat in the pram, not a baby and he just said that the lady had to fold the pram down or not get on - but he didn't say much to be honest."

Mia was on the bus on October 6th with her one-year-old tot Elias, who luckily had a one of the two spots available.

Mia said: "The lady just got on and thanked me for helping her. She had to put her pram down and her child was crying.

"I was on the phone to my auntie at the time and she suggested that I take a photo and upload it to social media which I obviously did."

(Image: Mercury Press)

Mia added: "It's just disgraceful and I'm just completely shocked. It seems to be one rule for one person and one rule for another.

"No matter which way you look at it, I just think it's wrong that a cat has priority on the bus over the child.

"Surely there was another way of transporting a cat, like a standard cat carrier like most people use.

"That way, it could have either gone under the seat on her lap meaning that valuable space is free for people that actually need it."

A spokesperson from First Leeds said: "We're sorry to hear that some customers disagreed with the decision made by one of our drivers and we have therefore launched an investigation into this complaint.

"There is limited space on board our buses and therefore some customers will be asked to fold down their pushchairs before boarding.

"With the exception of assistance dogs, animals can only travel on board our services if they are secure."