Two armed men broke into a Connecticut home on Sunday afternoon and demanded the victims turn over their “high dollar value cat,” according to the East Haven Police Department.
The would-be robbers initially tried to force their way into the East Haven house through a rear sliding glass door, but when the victims tried to prevent them from getting in, one of the men simply kicked through the glass, cops said.
That’s when the intruders brandished a handgun and demanded not cash, not jewelry or other valuables, but the cat!
The kitty in question must have been spooked by all the commotion because the frustrated robbers left empty-handed after a few minutes of fruitless searching. They hopped into a blue BMW and sped off, the victims told police.
Cops didn’t offer any description or breed information about the feline, describing it simply as a “high dollar value cat.”
It’s not uncommon for prized breed cats to command $5,000 from prospective buyers, and some breeds like the “exotic” Savannah cat can sell for as much as $20,000.
While it’s unusual for someone to break into a home and demand a cat at gunpoint, in the middle of the day no less, cat theft is actually a thing.
Thieves most frequently go after Bengals, Savannahs, Maine Coons, Ragdolls and other breeds that can make them a quick buck by selling them to unsuspecting buyers. Surprisingly domestic shorthairs are on several lists of most commonly stolen cats, but a vet tech tells Reader’s Digest that moggies make the list simply because there are so many of them.
Part of the problem is that the penalties for stealing cats aren’t prohibitive. Most states either treat cats and dogs as property that can simply be replaced, or classify theft of pets in archaic agriculture and markets laws, which were designed to deal with disputes over livestock and farm animals, not pets.
Advocates in some countries, like the UK, are pushing legislation that would make stealing a pet a criminal offense with much harsher penalties.
In Sunday’s attempted robbery, police found the BMW abandoned in Hamden, a town about 10 miles north of East Hampton. They’re still looking into the unsuccessful caper, telling local media that the attempt was planned, not a crime of opportunity or a random event.
Still, if you have a “high dollar value cat,” it’s worth taking some precautions. Here at Casa de Buddy we’ve installed a feline version of a panic room: a panic box! Reinforced with heavy shipping tape, the thick corrugated cardboard is sure to keep bad guys out while also remaining roomy, yet paradoxically snug.
Pain In The Bud 
he is very fortunate to have a luxury top of the line panic room You’re the best Dad
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re right, of course. Cat dad of the year right here!
LikeLike
HELL NO!! Never heard of this. Not going to say what i would do to pos who tried to steal my cat. My cat would bite the perp.Nice box Buddy!! I better save the next Chewy box. But my cat would say IS THIS ALL I GET!!? WHERE DID YOU HIDE THE CHURRO TREATS!!?🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so glad they couldn’t find the cat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah that definitely made the difference between a sad story and a ridiculous one.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Kymber. They would never find my cat!! I was looking everywhere for him the other day to bring him upstairs. I was getting worried to the point of tears. I looked under couch where it opens up to a bed. And there he was.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yep they do that sometimes. They love a cozy hiding spot.
LikeLike
Pandora has a well-constructed corrugated panic room just like Little Buddy’s one. It even has a sign on it that read “Pandora’s Box,” which should give anyone second thoughts about opening it up!!
LikeLiked by 2 people
That sign is an excellent security feature! Armed thugs would be wise to stay away.
LikeLike
No one’s getting my cat. I’m armed to the teeth – both magickally and otherwise.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Bud and I have a large arsenal of butter knives with which to spread our enemies.
LikeLiked by 2 people
That’s a start!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Little and Big Buddy, What are people even thinking? Poor kitty! I suppose they didn’t have any money to replace that glass slider either! I am glad Spunkmeyer looks like your average long haired sneeze inducing critter! (Ah-choo!)!
LikeLiked by 1 person
More incentive not to put pets on Instagram or online. By the way, Bud and I definitely don’t live in New York. Nope. Nowhere near New York!
LikeLike
Bella has proven skills at killing and stealth and given her ability to hide I think she is safe for now but yes its a scary thought that lousy humans will steal lives just for money. I do however worry about her being out as there are also scumbags that steal cats for other reasons
LikeLiked by 1 person
The latter is the thing that really scares the shit out of me. I see horrific stories every week in my Google alerts for cat stuff, and sometimes it’s so disturbing it puts me off blogging for days.
You are fortunate to have good neighbors and your WhatsApp group for your cats’ whereabouts. Always good to live in a neighborhood where you know your neighbors.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes! No personal names on line! I don’t live in New York either!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Buddy’s incredible physique would terrify any kidnappers. Imagine him flexing his meowsclues!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Indeed, the Panic Box is more of a backup in the unlikely event that robbers aren’t scared off by Bud’s bulging meowscles.
LikeLike
SM doesn’t have time for people who might want to kidnap him but we keep him in at all times anyway! He has a condo outside where he can come and go but is so far safe from strange people! He would be like that cat that hid! He is a “big boy” at best! We haven’t weighed him lately but he is getting bigger and he hasn’t any fat! He says he is getting Floufy like Manny on Ice Age! I shall weigh him (ok, my husband will weigh him since I can’t lift him anymore…) Will keep you posted!
He says “Hey Lil Bud!”
LikeLiked by 1 person