Heart-wrenching video footage has captured the moment a feline was shamelessly taken from outside their residence by a couple, only to be found lifeless three days later. The video, recorded by a Ring doorbell camera at the house of Naseem Aktar in Bury, Greater Manchester, shows a man and woman enticing her elderly Tabby cat Lola from a neighbor’s front drive near Market Street. Naseem, a sales executive, spent three days searching for the cherished 16-year-old cat after she was snatched on the May 25 bank holiday, which marked the second hottest day on record for May.
Tragically, Lola was discovered deceased under a vehicle just a short distance from her home three days later, following the distressing footage of the couple carrying her away from Naseem’s residence. The brief 30-second clip captures Lola within the boundaries of Naseem’s neighbor’s property, with two individuals approaching the cat, petting her, and then carrying her away.
Upon receiving the news on May 28 that Lola was found lifeless under a car outside a primary school, Naseem rushed her to the vet, who determined that Lola had succumbed to dehydration. Despite reporting the incident to the police, Naseem expressed frustration at the lack of action taken against the couple who took her cat, citing a lack of applicable laws for prosecution. She criticized the police for their perceived indifference and accused them of neglecting her case.
Describing Lola as a cherished family member, Naseem lamented the heartbreak of witnessing Lola’s struggle in the videos and emphasized the need to prevent similar acts of cruelty. Despite their efforts to locate Lola by canvassing neighbors for surveillance footage, Naseem believes Lola ended up at an address on Surrey Drive, over half a mile away from their residence. Lola, primarily an indoor cat, was known for her affectionate nature and was wearing a pink collar at the time of her disappearance, indicating she was not a stray.
After being laid to rest in the family’s back garden on May 28, Naseem reflected on the tragic loss of Lola and expressed hope that sharing her story would raise awareness and prevent similar incidents. She criticized the police for their decision not to pursue charges against the couple, citing potential legal avenues under theft, the Criminal Damage Act, and the Animal Welfare Act. Despite the couple releasing Lola, Naseem remains adamant that they are responsible for her untimely demise and has condemned the police’s inaction.
A spokesperson for the Greater Manchester Police acknowledged the reported cat theft but stated that the case was closed due to insufficient evidence, prompting Naseem to voice her discontent with the decision. The Mirror has reached out to the Greater Manchester Police for further comments on Naseem’s concerns.