Teenager Faces Court Over Alleged Abduction of Elderly Cat in Goulburn
A 15-year-old boy has been issued a court attendance notice, while two other teenagers have been cautioned, following the alleged abduction of an elderly cat from her home in Goulburn, New South Wales. The incident, which occurred on August 31, 2025, has left the beloved rescue cat, named Bucket, missing for over five months despite police identifying the suspects involved.
CCTV Footage Captures Disturbing Snatch
CCTV footage from Bourke Street in Goulburn showed three 15-year-old boys approaching Bucket as she sat on a brick wall outside her front yard. The video depicted the teens petting the 18-year-old cat before one of them picked her up and carried her away, with the trio heard laughing during the act. Police allege that the boy who took Bucket subsequently abandoned her on a nearby street, where she has never been seen again.
A police spokesperson confirmed: "A 15-year-old boy was issued with a court attendance notice for abandoning an animal, to appear in a children's court on Friday 16 January 2025. Police will allege the teenager picked up the cat and dropped it next to a nearby busy road."
Owner's Anguish and Lack of Parental Apology
Bucket's owner, Janine Steele, who rescued the cat as a kitten, expressed her distress over the incident and the subsequent silence from the boys' families. Ms Steele revealed that none of the parents have contacted her to apologise or explain what happened to Bucket in the months since her disappearance.
"I go between complete despair and feeling really supported by the community, but I'm holding out hope, because I have to," she told the Goulburn Post. "She didn't deserve this... and the silence from the parents of the boys involved hurts just as much as her disappearance."
Father's Alleged Harassment Leads to Court Order
In a troubling development, the father of the boy charged under the Animal Cruelty Act allegedly began circling Ms Steele's house after his son was identified by detectives. She reported that he drove around her property for over 40 minutes, slowing down and revving his engine out the front.
Ms Steele complained to the authorities about his actions, leading to the father attending court. He has since entered into a two-year understanding with the court to cease all threats and harassment, providing some relief to the distressed owner.
Community Outpouring and Viral CCTV Footage
Bucket was described as a very trusting and social cat who loved receiving cuddles from schoolchildren and neighbours. Her affectionate nature was evident in the CCTV footage, as she offered no resistance when carried away by the boys. The teens were heard saying "this is my cat" and laughing while placing Bucket in a bike basket before taking her down the street.
The CCTV footage of the abduction went viral after being shared online by an animal rescue organisation, racking up millions of views on TikTok and sparking widespread outrage. One viewer commented, "This made me cry," while another said, "I have a 17-year-old cat... the idea of something like that happening makes me sick."
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Search
Authorities have urged anyone with information about Bucket's whereabouts to contact Goulburn Police Station immediately. The legal penalties for such acts in New South Wales are significant:
- Those convicted of stealing an animal can face fines up to $550 and six months imprisonment.
- The penalty for animal cruelty is much steeper, with maximum fines of $44,000 and up to 12 months in jail.
Despite the charges and cautions, Bucket remains missing, leaving a community hopeful for her safe return and justice served through the legal process.
