Max’s owners are also fundraising so they can offer a reward for information that leads to a conviction of whoever is responsible
Max the cat, whose tail was posted through his owners’ letterbox(Image: Submitted)
Cat lovers will gather on Sunday evening to remember Max, the beloved pet whose tail was found in his owners’ letterbox after he went missing from their Hull flat’s shared gardens in a shocking incident. Eight-year-old Max had not been seen since Monday, September 14 when, five days later, his owner checked their mail to see the tabby cat’s white-tipped tail in the mail slot.
A vigil will be held in front of their Appleton Road home at 7pm on Sunday (September 27). Anyone is welcome, whether they knew Max or were simply touched by the story and want to offer support. Yellow ribbons will be tied on Max’s favourite tree in his memory. The whereabouts of Max is still unknown.
Owners Lisa and Louise, who asked only for their first names to be used, set up a Just Giving page with the aim of raising £750. The cash will go towards a reward for anyone who has information which leads to a conviction over what happened to Max. Since it was set up on Tuesday, the page has raised more than £200.
Lisa said Max usually sat in the shared gardens behind the flat and he “doesn’t venture far”. “I thought he would be back home soon,” she said. But, on Saturday, she made the horrifying discovery when she checked her mailbox. “I opened the letter box and I saw it,” she said. “I just screamed. He is a tabby and he had a white tip on his tail. It’s definitely his.” Louise said the tail has been sent for forensic testing and it appears to have been pulled off.
Humberside Police launched an investigation and are appealing for information or CCTV that may help in establishing “the welfare and whereabouts of the cat”. A spokesperson said on Monday: “Officers were called to reports of a cat’s tail being pushed through the letterbox of an address on Appleton Road in Hull at around 12.30pm on Saturday 19 September. Officers attended the scene and an investigation was launched in an attempt to establish the full circumstances leading up to the incident, and officers are in contact with relevant partner organisations. Anyone with any information that may assist with our investigation, including the whereabouts and welfare of the cat, is asked to call our non-emergency number 101 quoting reference 26*132718.”
The couple have since sent their other cat away to live with friends and are “living in fear” in their flat. They are due to get married next month but are now unsure whether they will be able to celebrate.
Lisa said: “The Just Giving page is for a reward for information leading to a prosecution and if none happens people can have their money back or it will be donated to Hull Animal Welfare where Louise got Max from. We are going to do the vigil in front of our house so we can tie a yellow ribbon on his favourite tree. Anyone is welcome either if they knew him or saw him in passing or anyone who has read the story and wants to support #Justice for Max.”
Did you know you can make Hull Live a preferred source of Hull news in Google, which will mean you get more of our breaking news, exclusives, and must-read stories straight away? Here’s more information about what this means and how to do it – you can also do it straight away by clicking here .