Cat turns up alive months after spate of vanishing felines (From This is Hampshire)

Cat turns up alive months after spate of vanishing felines

11:20am Thursday 3rd July 2008 in Search By Matt Smith, Politics and business reporter

ONE of the cats that went missing in a spate of mysterious disappearances from a Southampton estate has turned up alive after nine months.

Police launched a hunt for a cat napper after an anonymous letter was sent to the Daily Echo claiming that the animals had been abducted and dumped miles away.

Now one of the pets, which was microchipped, has been reunited with its owner after it was handed in to a vet about six miles away from its home.

Ellie Catto, of Bramley Close, had given up hope she would ever see four-year-old Dusty again.

"I was absolutely shocked.

I couldn't believe she was even alive," she said.

"After nine months you think, sad though it is, she must be dead."

The loss was devastating for her three children who are now over the moon to have Dusty back. However her other cat Tooty remains missing.

Seven cats disappeared from Bramley Crescent and Grove Place causing heartache to cat loving families across the neighbourhood.

A further three also went missing earlier this year.

One of the cats turned up dead in Botley, but none of the others have been found.

Police started an investigation when a letter was sent to the Echo shortly after the disappearances claiming responsibility.

The author claimed to have taken action because the animals were invading' gardens, killing birds and shrubs and using them as a toilet, which posed a health risk to children.

Police arrested a man in his 50s in connection with the missing cats earlier this year but he was released without charge following a search of his house.

A police spokesman said there were no further leads being followed.

However anyone with any new information should phone police on 0845 045 4545 and the Daily Echo on 023 8042 4552.