MOTHER-of-two Samantha John has spoken of her family's heartache after the mysterious disappearance of her second pedigree cat, in what she suspects is a spate of cat thefts.

Her beloved Rag Doll cat Duke vanished from her back garden in Lower Compton on May 9, four months after her Red Pointed Birman, Gixer, disappeared in similar circumstances.

Neighbours told Mrs John that cats have previously disappeared from the area in spates in the past 10 years and she now suspects Duke and Gixer were catnapped.

She said: "I could accept the first cat might have strayed. But when Duke went I thought this is ridiculous. How can two cats that don't wander off go missing?

"I couldn't stop crying for three days. But now I'm angry."

Mrs John, who has two daughters, Bethany, seven, and Katie, five, reported Duke's disappearance to the White Horse Veterinary Clinic, only to discover another pedigree cat had gone missing from Lower Compton on the same day.

She said: "When I heard about the other missing pedigree I telephoned the police because I was so angry. I wonder how many other people have had one or two cats go missing and have never told the police."

Gixer was worth £250, but nine-month-old Duke's value was nearly £400. A £200 reward has been offered for his safe return.

Wpc Julie Lewis, who is investigating the case, said: "There seem to be a lot of coincidences."

Duke has an electronic tagging device under his skin so vets will be able to detect he has been stolen.