Owner of lost pet extorted: Guelph Police

An undated stock image of a person texting on a smart phone. (Anna Shvets/Pexels)

The Guelph Police Service is investigating after the owner of a missing pet was the apparent victim of an extortion attempt.

Police received a call Monday afternoon from a resident who had reported his cat missing in January and was offering a reward. He shared that on social media and posters plastered around his neighbourhood.

Police said the owner received a text from someone on Monday claiming to have his cat and demanding payment in exchange for a photo proving his claim.

“The owner asked to meet in person and promised to pay the reward for the cat’s return, however the unknown male claimed he had given the cat away and stopped responding,” police said in a media release. “A Guelph Police Service officer attempted to call and text the unknown person’s phone and received a message that it is now out of service.”