‘Psychic cat’ Billy predicts World Cup winners
In Northern Ireland, a charming one-year-old tuxedo cat named Billy is capturing the world’s attention with his surprisingly accurate predictions of World Cup match outcomes. His owner, Linka Lin, shares that Billy’s ability to forecast winners stems from his sharp body language and natural intelligence, turning their little game into a viral sensation.
Interestingly, not all cats have the luxury of choosing their adventures.
In a bizarre incident in Maryland, a man reportedly abducted a three-month-old kitten from a pet store, later taking her into a nearby bank. There, he asked a bank employee to hold the kitten just before he passed a note to a teller, demanding money. This odd chain of events was reported by local police and shared by a local cat rescue.
Fortunately, the kitten, named Magnolia, emerged from the incident unscathed. Police in Prince George’s County were able to arrest the suspect not long after the incident took place.
Adding a humorous twist to the story, Beltsville Community Cats jested on Facebook that Magnolia’s brief “life of crime” had come to its end.
Magnolia, a 3-month-old tuxedo kitten, was recovered unharmed after police say a man stole her from a Maryland pet store before attempting to rob a nearby bank. (Beltsville Community Cats via Facebook)
The 3-month-old kitten, described by Beltsville Community Cats as a “true purr machine,” is still looking for a forever home after her unlikely brush with an attempted bank robbery.
Security camera video obtained by NBC Washington shows a man wearing a light-colored T-shirt and black beanie entering Pet Supplies Plus on Baltimore Avenue before running out seconds later carrying the black-and-white tuxedo kitten.
Witnesses told the outlet the man ran directly to the nearby PNC Bank in the same shopping center.
Stephanie Stullich, with Beltsville Community Cats rescue, said she received a frantic phone call around 10:30 a.m. from pet store employees reporting Magnolia had been taken from the adoption area.
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Magnolia, a 3-month-old tuxedo kitten, remains available for adoption through Beltsville Community Cats after her unusual role in a failed bank robbery. (Petfinder / Beltsville Community Cats)
“I immediately saw all of these police cars, and I thought, ‘Wow, that’s a heck of a response for a stolen cat,'” Stullich told NBC Washington. “But then I realized they all were going down to the bank.”
According to Stullich, police officers later told her the suspect walked into the bank holding Magnolia before asking an employee, “Can you hold this?” He then allegedly handed a teller a note demanding cash.
Prince George’s County police confirmed they took a man into custody at the bank.
Magnolia, a 3-month-old tuxedo kitten, was found safe after police arrested a man accused of stealing her before attempting to rob a Maryland bank. (Beltsville Community Cats via Facebook; Petfinder)
Pet Supplies Plus manager Aaron Kurkowski told NBC Washington the suspect had visited the store nearly every day for the past couple of weeks and routinely headed straight for Magnolia.
“He just went right to her and ran right on out,” Kurkowski said.
The rescue later posted on Facebook that Magnolia was recovered safely after the rescue said she bonded with the bank manager during the ordeal.
“The robbery was unsuccessful, the suspect was arrested, and Magnolia was found safe and sound,” the organization wrote.
The rescue said Magnolia remains available for adoption and describes the 3-month-old tuxedo kitten as affectionate and playful, adding that she loves cuddles, adventures and following her people around. Because she’s so social and energetic, the group recommends she be adopted into a home with another young, playful cat or alongside one of its other cats.
“She’s looking for a law-abiding citizen with a lot of love in their heart,” Stullich told NBC Washington.