Heart-wrenching video footage has captured the moment a cat was boldly taken from outside its home by a couple, only to be discovered lifeless three days later. The incident, recorded by a Ring doorbell camera at the residence of Naseem Aktar, 51, shows a man and a woman enticing Lola, an elderly Tabby cat, from a neighbor’s front yard near Market Street in Bury, Greater Manchester. Following Lola’s abduction on the May 25 bank holiday – the second hottest May day on record – Naseem frantically searched for her cherished 16-year-old feline companion.
Tragically, Lola’s lifeless body was found under a car just a few hundred meters away from her home, after the distressing footage depicted the couple taking her away from Naseem’s property. The brief 30-second clip captures Lola wandering into the neighbor’s yard, where the couple approaches her, pets her, and then walks off with her.
Upon receiving news of Lola’s demise on May 28, Naseem rushed her to the vet, who determined that Lola had succumbed to dehydration. Despite reporting the incident to the authorities, Naseem expressed her frustration as the police informed her that no charges could be pressed against the couple for stealing Lola, citing a lack of relevant laws for prosecution. Naseem criticized the police for their perceived lack of empathy and accused them of neglecting her case.
Describing Lola as a cherished family member, Naseem highlighted the heartbreaking nature of the situation, emphasizing Lola’s struggle to escape in the videos. Expressing disbelief at the couple’s actions, Naseem emphasized the need to prevent similar acts of cruelty and denounced the police’s inaction regarding the incident.
During the search for Lola, Naseem and her family canvassed the neighborhood for surveillance footage to determine Lola’s whereabouts, eventually leading them to an address on Surrey Drive, over half a mile from their home. Naseem recalled Lola’s affectionate nature and her limited outdoor excursions, usually confined to the family’s backyard or the adjacent neighbor’s fence.
Lola, identified by her distinctive pink collar, was laid to rest in the family’s backyard on May 28, surrounded by roses and flowers. Naseem expressed her hope that sharing Lola’s story would raise awareness and prevent similar tragedies in the future. Criticizing the police for their handling of the case, Naseem highlighted the potential legal avenues available to address the theft and subsequent death of Lola.
Despite Naseem’s efforts to seek justice for Lola, the police indicated that the investigation had been closed due to insufficient evidence, prompting Naseem to condemn the decision as “disgusting.” While Greater Manchester Police acknowledged the reported cat theft, they asserted that all investigative leads had been exhausted, leading to the closure of the case. The Mirror has reached out to Greater Manchester Police for further comments on Naseem’s concerns.