Yes, I stole my neighbour’s cat – however do not name me a felony!

It was a second of mad recklessness. I took one go searching me, picked up my former neighbours’ cat, slipped him below a blanket on the again seat of my automobile and drove off.

It was exhilarating. And, on the time, I knew I used to be doing the fitting factor. But as I sped away, I felt a ­nagging sense of guilt.

Had I simply dedicated a dreadful crime? Was I now a thief on the run from the regulation?

I may properly have been, below the brand new Pet Abduction Bill, which had its second studying within the House of Commons in January.

And I may have gotten as much as 5 years in jail for my actions. Because if and when the Bill turns into regulation, the theft of cats or canine shall be handled as severe and particular crimes, reasonably than merely the taking of property because it stands as we speak.

But earlier than you lump me in with the rising variety of heartless ­criminals stealing pedigree pets for monetary achieve, permit me to clarify.

The story begins in 2005, after I was residing in a ground-floor flat on Blackheath, south-East London, with direct entry to an unlimited backyard.

One morning, I heard a pointy rap on my patio window and presumed it was my pal Steve who got here spherical for espresso most mornings.

But I seemed as much as see my American neighbour as an alternative — obvious at me. Though I went out to ask him what was the matter, I already had a reasonably good concept.

His cat, Drexl (named after a Gary Oldman character within the Quentin Tarantino movie True Romance) had been visiting me most days for a couple of yr and a half, discovering his method in via an outdated cat flap. Of late, he had been popping dwelling for his ­dinner, then coming again to me and even sleeping over.

The foremost purpose Drexl — a black and white home shorthair — favored being with me was as a result of he was scared of two husky canine his authorized homeowners had not too long ago given a house. Whenever he heard them bark, he ran below my mattress.

I attempted to clarify to my neighbour — let’s name him Guy — that I had finished nothing to encourage Drexl. I’d by no means fed and even known as him. He simply stored turning up. After all, cats are sentient creatures who, with their unbiased spirit, can by no means actually be ‘owned’.

But Guy was having none of it: ‘You’ve stolen him. You are a thief, Lynne. Do you stroll into ­somebody’s home and take their DVD participant? Or take their automobile from their entrance drive? It’s the identical factor.’

I used to be shocked, offended and, above all, scared by the tall, 40-something man on my patio, whose voice was shaking anger. As Guy walked away, he advised me he was shifting home — and he’d be taking Drexl with him.

The information left me heartbroken. Perhaps I hadn’t needed to confess it as a result of he wasn’t ‘mine’, however I liked Drexl.

And, in all truthfulness, I hadn’t precisely discouraged him from his little visits.

Some months earlier than, Guy had requested me to close my cat flap at evening to cease Drexl getting in. After all, I had no pets of my very own. I advised him I’d give it some thought. But actually, I knew I couldn’t. I needed Drexl to have someplace to flee if the large canine scared him.

The fast-approaching prospect that I might by no means see him once more was an excessive amount of to bear.

But a few weeks after my run-in with Guy, removing vans did arrive and by lunchtime that day, the household was gone — together with two loud, boisterous huskies and one lovely, but sad, moggy.

As time wore on, I missed Drexl greater than I may have imagined. He had turn into a part of my life.

Then, a miracle occurred. Per week after Guy and his household had moved out, I used to be woken at evening by the cat flap opening — I knew that might solely imply one factor. My boy was again!

He was a bit thinner and filthy soiled. No marvel — the household had moved 5 miles away and the one route again to me concerned crossing a motorway.

The subsequent morning Guy arrived to take Drexl dwelling. But over the approaching days, the identical charade performed out. Each time he got here to gather the cat, Guy insisted Drexl was blissful in his dwelling.

Around this time, I additionally moved home. I knew I wouldn’t see Drexl once more, however I used to be grateful for the time we had spent collectively. He’s a courageous, resourceful cat, I advised myself: he’ll pull via.

To safe the property, I needed to shut the interior picket ­shutters, blocking the cat flap.

But a fortnight later I returned to gather some put up. And who was ready for me outdoors the patio door, wanting completely forlorn?

That was after I snapped. I couldn’t take it any longer. So I scooped Drexl up and we made our bid for freedom.

I’ve since heard from one other former neighbour that Guy has returned to the realm a number of instances to search for Drexl.

I’ll depart you to guage whether or not or not I’m a felony. But to my thoughts, the thought that I could be prosecuted for this act fills me with indignation and horror.

Don’t get me unsuitable, the theft of ­animals from loving houses — motivated by monetary achieve — is inexcusable.

In 2022, 2,160 canine have been reported stolen, in line with Direct Line Pet Insurance, with just one in 4 returned to their homeowners.

Cat theft has been rising by a mean 18 per cent, yr on yr, since 2017, with 1,300 circumstances reported prior to now 5 years, in line with police data.

Off the again of those numbers, Conservative MP Anna Firth known as for a change within the regulation, the results of which is the Pet ­Abduction Bill.

Under the Theft Act of 1968, pets are at present handled as property and ­punishments are linked to the ­‘monetary value’ of the animal stolen. In different phrases, the regulation takes no account of the sturdy emotional bond between pet ­homeowners and their ­animals, and the immense sense of loss when they’re gone.

For hundreds of thousands of us, pets are ­infinitely greater than property — they’re a part of the household. The new Bill recognises this and must be seen as an excellent factor. However, the proposed laws is opaque with regards to cats, whose lives are, after all, peripatetic.

And so, I’m relieved to listen to that, in line with Anna Firth, I’m seemingly within the clear: ‘If ­someone had a reasonable excuse such as “The cat just came into my home”, the police wouldn’t prosecute,’ stated the MP.

‘There is no intention to ­criminalise people who have good intentions.’

However, animal behaviour professional Dr Anne McBride, of Southampton University, continues to be uncertain whether or not, with regards to pets, one invoice suits all.

‘Issues of ­luring and detaining are straightforward for dogs, but cats cannot be ­captured and detained in the same way,’ she defined. ‘Dogs need to be part of a social group, but cats are more based on location than an attachment to an individual person.’

The RSPCA shares Dr McBride’s reservations, although broadly ­welcomes the Bill: ‘We understand that, as cats naturally roam, there can be a real difficulty in ­ascertaining whether a cat is a genuine stray or if they are owned,’ a spokesman stated.

‘It is important to find out if the cat already has a loving owner before feeding or attempting to adopt the cat.’

My lovely, loving and resilient Drexl died in 2016 aged 14.

I used to be bereft and I nonetheless consider my darling boy to this present day. But it brings a wistful smile to my face to do not forget that for 9 blissful years he loved a house with me the place he felt protected and liked.

Am I thief, a felony? It’s too early to inform how this new Bill would possibly deal with somebody who finds themselves in my scenario, however let’s simply say, I don’t remorse taking him one bit.