An emotional support cat is alleged to be “catnapped” and threatened to be thrown into a nearby river if the owner does not pay a ransom of RM6,000.
Photo via Facebook (Persatuan Haiwan Malaysia - Malaysia Animal Association)
According to the Malaysia Animal Association, its president Arie Dwi Andika says this as the first ever kidnapping case in Malaysia that involved a cat and thousands of ringgit in ransom.
In a Facebook post, Arie said that the owner who lives in Kuching, Sarawak received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number with pictures and videos of her cat just two days after the owner put up posters of her missing cat.
“She received a WhatsApp message from a person who claimed to have kidnapped her cat and included photos and videos as proof. The owner then confirmed that it was indeed her missing cat.
“The kidnapper also demanded that the owner give them RM6,000 before 6 pm on 3 September, and will only inform of the address to claim the cat afterwards.”
KES JENAYAH CULIK KUCING, UGUTAN DAN MINTA TEBUSAN RM6,000 DARIPADA PEMILIK PERLU PERHATIAN SERIUS POLIS DIRAJA...
Posted by Persatuan Haiwan Malaysia - Malaysia Animal Association on Sunday, 4 September 2022
The catnapper also threatened the owner to throw the cat into a nearby river if the owner failed to pay the ransom.
Arie added that the owner was only able to offer them RM200 but it was rejected by the catnapper.
The owner lodged a police report at the Sekama police station on 4 September and was allegedly told to not go to the trouble of saving the cat and was promised a new one.
Photo via Facebook (Persatuan Haiwan Malaysia - Malaysia Animal Association)
The association is now urging authorities to give serious attention as it is a serious crime that involves lives, money, the owner’s emotions and the long-term safety of the community.
Oh no, this broke our hearts! We hope that Snow is okay…
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
