Auckland Cat Leo's Laundry Looting Turns Him Into Local Legend

Auckland, Jul 24 (AP) - Many cat owners fear the day their cats bring home unwanted prey, like mice or birds. However, for one family in Auckland, New Zealand, their feline companion has become infamous for an entirely different reason: a relentless quest for laundry. This unusual habit has turned the 15-month-old cat, Leo, into a local legend, affectionately nicknamed Leonardo da Pinchy by locals.

Living in the tranquil beachside neighborhood of Mairangi Bay, Leo has developed a peculiar penchant for 'pinching' laundry from clotheslines and even bedrooms. His loot often comprises silk boxer shorts, durable men's work socks, often with the clothespins still attached, and occasionally luxurious items like a cashmere sweater worth 300 New Zealand dollars (USD 181).

Leo's owner, Helen North, recounted a particularly memorable incident when her daughter, home sick, phoned her in dismay. “She said, ‘It's bad, it's bad, this is the worst thing he's brought in, it's really bad,’" North chuckled. Though tempted by the beautiful garment, North felt compelled to return it.

To reunite the stolen goods with their owners, North resorted to using a neighborhood WhatsApp group, often messaging with queries like, “Are these your undies?” The feline's collection grew steadily, including piles of socks, loads of underwear, and even an unexpected 5-foot stuffed snake. Leo's career-best spree included nine items in a single day, forming a complete mismatched ensemble.

"Just this morning, he dragged in a jersey at 8:10 a.m.," North confessed. “The stores weren’t even open yet.” With numerous items still unclaimed, North widened her efforts, posting pictures of Leo's acquisitions on a local Facebook page, offering her apology, and sharing her address for returns.

Several neighbors came forward to reclaim their items, including a woman who spotted her floral underpants and a young boy relieved to find his sports jersey, recognizably marked with his name. Contrary to North's expectations, her neighbors showed little animosity, with one allergy-prone resident simply opting to dry her clothes indoors.

“Everyone thinks he’s amazing,” North said. “Some are a bit disappointed he hasn’t gifted them anything yet.” Despite attempts to curb Leo's habit, such as keeping him indoors or offering decoy clothing, nothing has worked. “He only targets items he shouldn’t have,” North noted, wary of an online suggestion to acquire another cat. “He might just teach a new cat to do the same thing,” she worried.

Leo's thieving began shortly after he was allowed outdoors a year ago, but his family remains hopeful that it’s just a passing phase. “I hope he outgrows this soon, as managing this for 15 years would be a bit much,” North admitted. For the time being, Mairangi Bay has its own celebrity in Leonardo da Pinchy, who remains at liberty. (AP) GRS GRS

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