Catnapper fears as ninth moggie in four months goes missing in quiet village

A POPULAR puss is feared to be the ninth victim of a catnapper prowling a quiet village.

Gorgeous George, two, who has 9,000 Twitter followers, is the latest cat to vanish in four months.

Owner Steve Haywood, 55, said: “We’re very worried about him. George has never been out for longer than a day before.

“We’re hoping he will return but there is always that thought he won’t with these suspicious goings-on.”

Steve, who works in risk management, and his accountant wife Vanessa, 51, have contacted police — but they are not the only ones to be targeted in the village of Thornhill, Cumbria.

The community Facebook group has been flooded with owners hunting missing moggies.

Rajeev Sood said cats Gracie and Midgey vanished in two months.

He wrote: “Normally Gracie comes home every few days but now we’re worried.”

In September three cats were reported missing, including a puss named Toby, a pet called Maggie and kitten Louie.

Another resident lost her ginger cat in October.

Cumbria Police said it was aware of the reports.

But some residents now reckon their pets are being stolen to train lurchers to kill.

One said: “Something needs to be done.”