He took his shoes off, I get the impression that he would have taken a swim, if proved a necessity, to rescue the cat. Maybe that's just me!
CLKD is right, the correct and safest way to handle an unknown cat, particularly in an abnormal situation is to scruff it. Ask any vet! He was doing what its feline mother does to move her kittens if she perceives danger. He stopped getting a huge mauling by a scared cat.
Brighteyes
