EXCLUSIVE: Cat-nappers attempt to STEAL fat feline that has become Polish city’s top-rated tourist attraction
- A cat thief was thwarted in her attempt to steal a cat called Gacek in Szczecin
- The woman was snapped on camera after attempting to seize celebrity cat
A cat thief has been thwarted in her attempt to steal one of Poland’s biggest tourist attractions – a chubby cat called Gacek – after being chased off by locals.
The woman was snapped on camera after attempting to seize the 6-year-old celebrity moggy in the city of Szczecin.
Seen jumping into a cab after Gacek escaped by hiding underneath a nearby car, the wannabe catnapper has now been shamed on social media.
The black and white stray called Gacek shot to global fame after scoring a Google ranking of 5 from reviewers.
Dubbed ‘the King of Kaszubska’ after the name of the street he lives on Gacek was ranked on Google higher than the city’s more traditional tourist hotspots.
A cat thief has been thwarted in her attempt to steal one of Poland’s biggest tourist attractions – a chubby cat called Gacek – after being chased off by locals
The woman was snapped on camera after attempting to seize the 6-year-old celebrity moggy in the city of Szczecin
The black and white stray called Gacek shot to global fame after scoring a Google ranking of 5 from reviewers
Visitors have described the cat as ‘a rock star’, ‘the King of town’, ‘the greatest of all time’, and ‘a city icon’
These include the award-winning Philharmonic, the Castle of Pomeranian Dukes and a network of underground WWII tunnels.
READ MORE: Fat cat becomes Polish city’s top-rated tourist attraction
With visitors describing him as ‘a rock star’, ‘the King of town’, ‘the greatest of all time’, and ‘a city icon’, local shops have even started selling bags with his face on them.
Following the attempted kit-napping, the cat’s carers said: ‘Today we will tell you about a pretty unpleasant situation.
‘A certain creature on March 20th, a little after 7 a.m., decided to try and steal Gacek.
‘Of course it didn’t work out. Gacek ran away and hid under a car, the kidnapper got scared too, the situation was seen by a trusted person from Gacek’s area. After this, the attempted theft was stopped.’
The post added: ‘We strongly advise against such attempts. Gacek is watched over by cameras and his human friends, so we hope there won’t be any more stupid ideas like this.
Asked by one fan why they had hidden the woman’s face, the carers replied: ‘We want to avoid problems but if needed we have everything.’
Gacek has now amassed over 3,000 Google user reviews.
One calling themselves ‘josefita’ posted: ‘best kitty cat ever, very good boy, would recommend 100%. 10/10.’
Another called Fabian Webb wrote: ‘Best thing I have ever seen.’
Meanwhile, Amy Seabold gushed: ‘Stunning. Moving. Beautiful. Groundbreaking. 10/10, cannot recommend more.’
Another visitor to the city suggested that the cat may be becoming a bit camera shy.
Ina posted: ‘Went to Sczeczin and had to come meet this chubby cat.
‘He was friendly, but did not like having his picture taken. Still. Definitely worth the walk to meet this feline native. 5 stars of course.’
The cat’s carers finished their post on Instagram saying: ‘In short someone was trying to steal Gacek. Failed. We highly do not recommend this.’
Now a local councillor has called on the city’s mayor to make Gacek an ‘ambassador’ for homeless cats.
The black and white stray called Gacek shot to global fame after scoring a Google ranking of 5 from reviewers
Dubbed ‘the King of Kaszubska’ after the name of the street he lives on Gacek was ranked on Google higher than the city’s more traditional tourist hotspots
Now a local councillor has called on the city’s mayor to make Gacek (pictured) an ‘ambassador’ for homeless cats
In an open letter Patryk Jaskulski wrote: ‘I am asking you for your attention regarding the protection and support of cats living freely in our city.
‘Recently, the popularity of the cat Gacka – a free-living cat that has become an ambassador of other cats living in the wild – has become extremely high and is still growing.
‘Gacek, whether he wanted it or not, became the hero of Szczecin, and the name of our city went around the world!
‘Cat Gacek has a chance to become a ‘hero’ of all wild, free-living and homeless cats in our city.
‘I am asking you to think about how to turn this unexpected success and fame so that other wild cats can benefit from it, which according to estimates may be even tens of thousands in our city.’
He ended the letter saying: ‘It is worth noting that from the point of view of law, the owner of such cats is the State Treasury, and the obligation to provide care for these animals lies with the commune.’
Meanwhile, the city’s animal shelter has expressed concern over Gacek’s ballooning weight.
Attributing the increase to generous passers-by giving him snacks, they have pleaded with visitors to stop feeding him and instead put any ‘treats’ in a basket provided so that they can regulate the amount he eats.
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