A LOCAL family has been left devastated after the apparent theft of their cat.
They noticed 18-month-old Dexter, a pure-bred Ragdoll, was missing when he didn’t come home on January 25. Nel Truscott, said they knew something was wrong almost immediately.
“We saw him about lunchtime on the Monday, but then he didn’t come home for dinner,” she said.
“I called the ranger who said they hadn’t picked up a cat.”
The family has taken to social media to spread the word.
“By the time I’m done, he’ll be the most popular cat in the whole South West,” Mrs Truscott said.
Ragdoll cats are a highly-sought-after breed, but Dexter is fixed and microchipped so he has no breeding value.
His Bluetooth, black diamante collar was found unclipped on Throssell Street, leading the family to believe something more sinister has happened.
A few days earlier, a suspicious car had been seen parked outside the family home.
“I remember noting it was strange for the car to be parked outside my house like that,” Mrs Truscott said.
“The passenger in the back was acting peculiar.”
Collie Police Senior Sergeant Mike Dean said it was likely the cat was stolen and had taken a theft report.
“It’s a shameful thing to steal people’s pets,” he said.
“Things such as this happen occasionally and we are taking this seriously.
“Pets mean a lot to people and it hurts the family needlessly.
“We are following up leads in other towns and are hopeful of a good result.”
Mrs Truscott said the family just wanted Dexter back and thanked those who have helped spread the word.
“It’s a bit real surreal,” she said.
“I’ve got two devastated children who are really missing him and we would really like him returned to us.
“They keep asking me when Dexter will come home.”
