A CAT who was captured on camera being taken near his York home has been reunited with his owner following a public appeal.

CCTV footage caught the moment Busby was taken from near his home in Holgate.

Two people spent time stroking him before seemingly looking around and then picking him up and walking away from Springfield Court last Friday.

After The Press broke the story yesterday and posted the video on our Facebook page, it was widely shared online, prompting the man who took Busby to return him.

Delighted owner Chris Howson, of Falconer Street, said he was called by the man and arranged to meet him in a York street yesterday afternoon when Busby was handed back to him.

Mr Howson said: “He told me he didn’t think he had a home. I don’t believe him but I didn’t really want to stand around and have a chat, I wanted to get him home.

"I’m grateful he has done the right thing. I want to thank everyone who has helped. I cannot believe the response.

“I wish I had gone to The Press and put it on Facebook sooner.”

He said ten-year-old Busby – who is very popular and well known locally – seemed nervous but was unharmed.

Mr Howson thanked everyone who had helped share the appeal, with special thanks to his neighbour who helped start a poster campaign.

 

........................................

Original story

CAMERA footage has captured the moment a much-loved cat was taken near his home in York.

The images show a couple stroking ten-year-old Busby outside Springfield Court in Holgate last Friday before seemingly looking around and then picking him up and walking away.

His devastated owner Chris Howson, who lives in nearby Falconer Street, has reported the matter to police, who have a copy of the film footage, and he is offering a reward to anyone who can return his pet.

Mr Howson said: “If people know where he is, please contact me.

“I just want him back, if the people who took him return him to where they took him from, there will be no questions asked, I just want him back. If not I will pursue the matter and if they are eventually caught I will press charges.

“I am devastated about him being taken. He has lived with me for ten years and he is very much part of my family. He is a loveable cat and friendly with everyone, but he has a special bond with me as I am his owner and he knows where he lives and his surroundings.

“He loves his home and his friends and that’s where he wants to be.”

Security camera footage of the couple shows them stroking the cat for a number of minutes as people walk past. They appear to have a discussion before walking away on to Holgate Road at about 3pm with Busby in the man’s arms.

The man, who is described as being in his early 20s, is more than 6ft tall, slim, white, and was wearing black jeans with a white motif on back pockets and a blue jacket.

The woman is described as being in her early 20s, 5ft 5ins to to 5ft 6ins, white and wearing grey leggings and boots.

Busby is described as a large cat, white with brown and ginger patches, fluffy fur and very friendly in nature.

Mr Howson said: “He loves the outdoors and loves attention. He is very popular in the area amongst children and pensioners from the nearby Springfield Court.”

North Yorkshire Police confirmed it was investigating the matter. A spokeswoman said anyone with information should call police on 101.

Anyone who may know Busby’s whereabouts should also call Mr Howson on 07900 913924