A cat owner has been reunited with his beloved pair of purebred British short hairs after they were kidnapped, allegedly by a group of youths, on Saturday.
Owner of the two cats Enoch Xie told 1News his family had been moving out of their house in Westgate and when they came back to collect their cats – they were gone.
Xie said he usually came home to see the cats waiting by the door, but this time they were nowhere to be found.
“No cats, no sounds. I thought they were hiding somewhere.”
After a brief search with no luck, Xie said he started “getting nervous”. He then noticed the cat’s cages were missing from the garage, and there were “grey Nike shorts” and “a skateboard toy” near his kitchen.
“I was like, who [do] these things belong to?”
Xie searched further around the house, in case someone thought the cats had been abandoned and had left a letter which said they had been taken somewhere else.
After a chat with his neighbours and wife, Xie said he then called the police. She posted about the missing cats on Facebook, which was shared by members of the local community.
The next day, Xie said police called him back with the news his cats had been found.
“We were super happy… when the police picked up the cats, I also [called] my wife and she cried.”
They then took the cats to the new home, where they are now “happy”.
“They’re perfectly fine. They’re really healthy and they’re still drinking and eating.”
Xie said he and his wife “really appreciate” the West Auckland community for sharing her post to help find the cats.
“The community was the key to find our cats… I really thank all the people staying in the area. Really [thankful] for them.”
Waitematā west area prevention manager, acting inspector Nick Salter, said police, managed to identify the suspects by speaking with neighbours and reviewing CCTV footage.
Salter said the cats were found at an address in Massey before being reunited with their owner.
Police wanted to remind the community all forms of crime were taken seriously.
"Reports like this one will be followed up and those responsible for causing any harm and distress will be held to account."
Three youths, aged 12 and 13 have been referred to youth aid.
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