IT’S the worst feeling in the world for cat owners – your beloved feline friend suddenly disappears and you don’t know when it’ll show up again.
That was probably what one cat owner in Taman Kwan Ming, Kuching, Sarawak, felt when their cat was discovered missing on Thursday (Sept 1).
They even took to putting up posters on Facebook in an effort to widen the scope of their rescue efforts.
Little did they know it would turn out to be a nightmare of an experience.
According to a recount of the cat owner’s version of events by the Malaysia Animal Association (Animal Malaysia), the cat owner received a WhatsApp text on Saturday afternoon (Sept 3) from someone who claimed they had stolen the cat.
Upon receiving pictures and videos of the cat, the cat owner realised the “catnapper” was telling the truth.
Adding to their fears, the catnapper asked the cat owner to cough up RM6,000 into a Hong Leong bank account before 6pm that day before revealing the cat’s location.
The catnapper also threatened to throw the cat into a nearby river if the ransom was not made.
The cat owner did not have RM6,000 to give and tried offering RM200 instead. This, however, was rejected by the catnapper.
Following this, the cat owner lodged a police report at a police station in Kuching the next day (Sept 4).
“I’ll get you another one, okay?”
However, their troubles did not end there.
The investigating officer (IO) supposedly told the cat owner not to “try so hard” to rescue their cat as it would be hard for the cops to investigate the case; banks can only give out information about any bank account owner three months from when an investigation starts.
The IO apparently even promised to get them another cat.
The cat owner then went to the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) office in Icom Square to track down the catnapper through the number they were texting with.
There, she met another blow as the MACC said they could only discuss the matter with the police IO.
According to Animal Malaysia president Arie Dwi Andika, this is the first kidnapping case involving a cat and such an exorbitant ransom amount.
“Animal Malaysia appeals for the Royal Police Force Malaysia (PDRM), Sarawak, to take this case seriously and take immediate action to arrest the cat kidnapper, who threatened to throw the cat into a dangerous river in Kuching,” he said in a statement yesterday (Sept 5).
“The crime of cat kidnapping needs to be given serious attention and should be considered a serious crime as it involves lives, money, the owner’s emotions and the long-term safety of all parties.”
Arie also expressed concern that instances of kidnapping and holding animals hostage will become widespread if no decisive action is taken by the authorities.
“It is a serious crime that can spread to children and other adults if not immediately eradicated,” he pointed out.
Instances of domestic animal crimes can be reported to the MyAnimalWelfare team under the Veterinary Department Services, while crimes involving wild animals can be reported to the Wildlife and National Parks Peninsular Malaysia Department’s hotline at 1-800-88-5151.
Meanwhile, those wishing to share their stories and raise more awareness about animal crimes can send a WhatsApp text to Animal Malaysia or contact them through their website. – Sept 6, 2022
