Alex Cracknell
Family & Pets

Brazen cat-napper snatches feline from driveway

A young woman has been caught on CCTV camera brazenly picking up a 22-year-old cat named “Bob” from its owners' driveway in Melbourne's east and simply walking off with it.

A week since he went missing, Bob the cat's heartbroken owners are now pleading for their beloved pet to be returned.

Their CCTV camera captured the woman walking past their home just after 9pm on Wednesday, December 1, before stopping to do something they never expected.

After a few pats and a failed attempt to pick him up, the woman then managed to scoop the feline into her arms and walk away.

Giuseppina Roberts and her son Vincent Mennilli are worried.

"A very brave cat, a very friendly cat, but a cat that we deeply miss," Mr Mennilli said.

"I thought, ‘How dare somebody come into our property and take our pet?’" Ms Roberts said.

The pair have door-knocked the neighbourhood and posted the footage online.

They're searching for Bob, who is missing part of one paw and is blind in one eye.

"I'm very worried, very worried, in fact I think he could already (be) gone," Ms Roberts said.

It has been reported to police but Ms Roberts says she just wants her pet returned.

"No questions asked, just bring the cat back … and that will be my greatest gift, it will be a Christmas present," she implored.

Images: 9News

Tags:
Cat, Stolen, Theft, Family & pets