A cat owner from Wivenhoe, Essex, expressed her devastation after reviewing CCTV footage that captured the theft of her beloved 18-year-old cat, Padstow. Naomi Winter, 38, described her pet as a local celebrity, cherished for his affectionate nature.
The alarming incident occurred early Tuesday morning around 1:30 AM BST, when Padstow was taken from his sleeping box outside a neighbor’s home. “I am devastated. The way he was picked up was quite harsh, and it was truly distressing,” Mrs. Winter recounted.
For the past year, Padstow had made a habit of sleeping in his “little den” outside, where he was regularly awakened for breakfast at 6:00 AM BST. The heartbreaking moment came when Mrs. Winter discovered he was missing, prompting her to check the footage. “The first time I watched the video, I couldn’t bear to watch it again. The sound he made when he was taken was upsetting,” she said.
Fortunately, the elderly feline was located the following night in The Hythe area of Colchester, just a few miles from home. Mrs. Winter was pleasantly surprised to receive a call from a couple who had found him. “I was just about to go to bed, feeling heartbroken, when my phone rang. I couldn’t believe it—I thought I’d lost him forever,” she shared.
The couple kindly returned Padstow, who received a warm welcome from the neighborhood, where residents often stop to greet and cuddle him. “He truly is a celebrity around here, and sometimes he even enjoys walks with people,” Mrs. Winter added.
The incident has been reported to the local police as Mrs. Winter hopes for a resolution to the troubling event.
