In spite of a video showing a cat being shoved into a box, the victims of a rash of “catnappings” are outraged that police have stopped looking into their missing pets.
People in Solihull, which is eight miles east of Birmingham, said that their dogs had been taken and that, after going missing, the animals had shown up on websites that sold used pets.
Although West Midlands Police were accused of not treating the disappearances properly, they said that they had carried out a “fairly thorough” investigation.
A suspected “catnapper” was seen on disturbing doorbell video looking about, petting a cat, and then scooping it up.
When an accomplice arrives, they call him over and swiftly shove the cat into the box and hide it from view.
People from Solihull, eight miles east of Birmingham, said their dogs had been kidnapped and that after they had disappeared, their cherished creatures had appeared on resale websites. Photo taken from a video purporting to document a “catnapping”
Unsettling doorbell video showed a possible “catnapper” scanning the area, petting a cat, and then snatching it up.
As soon as an accomplice arrives with a box, they swiftly pack the cat inside to hide it.
Charlene Jones, one of the alleged victims, said her cat Benson was pinched in January.
A few weeks later, when Benson had been “traumatized” by the ideal, her family was compelled to purchase him back.
“So evidently it’s OK to steal and sell cats since cops are not too disturbed,” she said in a Facebook post.
Benson, a cat owned by Charlene Jones, was stolen in January and shown up on a website for resale a few weeks later. After Benson was abducted, Charlene is seen with her children Demi and Eden.
After Benson disappeared, his family was compelled to purchase him back. Benson is seen here after being brought home.
It is incorrect on every level. They belong to our family.
Jodie Smith, of Chelmsley Wood in Solihull, reported that her cat Arlo is still missing after going missing for the first time on January 29 and that the West Midlands Police had given up looking into the case.
The missing cat poster was drawn by Jodie’s daughter, who pledged to spend “all her pocket money” to get Arlo back home.
Even though Jodie Smith’s cat Arlo (pictured) appeared on the Pets4Homes website and was sold for £50 two days later, he is still missing from their Chelmsley Wood house.
They think Arlo was listed for £50 on the website Pets4Homes two days after he was taken, but they have no leads as to his whereabouts.
It’s disheartening since we’ve provided so much proof, said Charlene. We’ve had communications claiming that cats are once again being sold.
It irritates me that someone can do the crime and get away with it. Because they don’t know where [Arlo] is, Jodie’s kids are inconsolable, and Benson is still traumatized.
Jodie’s daughter created a poster for the cat’s disappearance and promised to spend “all her pocket money” to bring Arlo home.
“I believe individuals should exercise caution and have any cats they purchase from pet websites examined for chips. People are purchasing these creatures without first determining if they have been stolen.
In an effort to bring Arlo home, Charlene and Jodie have created a Facebook page and are pleading any anyone with information to contact them.
Additionally, they have started a “Arlo’s legislation” campaign.
MailOnline has been in touch with West Midlands Police for a response.