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The theory that cats really do have nine lives was put to the test in Florida recently.

In Tampa a cat was pronounced dead by a vet when it was hit by a car. Found stiff in a pool of blood, Bart was buried in his owner’s backyard.

“The cat was absolutely dead,” owner Ellis Hutson told WFLA. “The cat was cold, the cat was stiff, the cat had no movement, no nothing.”

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To the surprise of everyone, Bart re-appeared alive and mostly well five days later.

Neighbour Dusty Albritton says the feline showed up at her doorstep hungry and begging for food.

“I’m just in shock,” Albritton told WTVT. “This is God’s miracle. This doesn’t happen! Cats don’t come back to life.”

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The Humane Society believes that the feline was probably unconscious after the accident, and dug himself out of his grave after he came to.

Bart is being treated for severe head trauma, a broken jaw and will probably lose one eye, but is expected to make a full recovery.

“Miracles do happen,” said Hutson.