Bring Home Charlie! Leeds Chinchilla Owner's Appeal to Pet Thieves
A Leeds burglary victim says he's distraught, after thieves stole one of his pet Chinchillas, and threw another out the window.
Keith Rogers was on holiday when his house was broken into but came rushing straight back to his home in Woodhouse when he heard what had happened. The 48 year old told us one of the animals was found outside by a neighbour, alive but cold, but he thinks the burglars still have Charlie. "I'm absolutely distraught because I'm really worried he's freezing outside and really suffering or that some sadistic person is harming him," he told us. "I've been getting these anonymous calls basically boasting that they threw one out the window and took the other one. "I was robbed in November, which I reported to the police and since then I've had bricks thrown through my window and I think this is part of the same systematic vendetta. "I think they're cowardly because if they have an issue with me they should come and take it up with me, not take it out on a defenceless animal. "They've just basically just done it to hurt me, to traumatise me." Keith, who suffers with depression and anxiety, says it's had a huge effect on his mental health: "I'm fearful not for myself, but for my other animals," he said. "So my anxiety's gone up. "I was trying to make a fresh start to the New Year, and instead I ended up coming home on the plane crying my eyes out. "But I'm not going to let them win. I'm still going to work to turn things around in my life." Keith's offering a £50 reward for Charlie's return. If you've got any details you can email the news desk on news@radioaire.com or call us on 0113 283 5600 and we'll put you in touch with him.