LOCAL FAMILY IN STICKY SITUATION
A Swansdike family is preparing for the worst after receiving a ransom demand for the safe return of their pet stick insect.
Sticky, who was perched on a sprig of privet in his jam jar, was abducted from his home in Langton Road just over a week ago.
Father of three Jeff Knightley, 46, told the Observer that he had received an anonymous email threatening their pet’s life.
“The email said that if we wanted to see Sticky again, I should be at the public conveniences on Froghill Common at 8 o’ clock tomorrow evening,” Mr Knightley said.
“It told me to bring an envelope containing £57.30 in used notes and leave it under the third washbasin in the Gents. The email came with an attachment. When I opened it, there was a picture of Sticky, taken in a bathroom somewhere, holding a copy of yesterday’s Guardian.
"The mail also told me not to go to the police otherwise I would never see Sticky alive again.”
A spokesman for the Stick Insect Care and Kindness Organisation (SICKO) said that this kind of opportunistic crime is becoming increasingly prevalent. The charity recommends that owners have their insects micro-chipped as a safeguard against kidnapping.
Stick insect owners can contact the charity's helpline for advice on 0372 43354 or email sicko@stickmail.com.
No Comments for this post yet...