SUNGAI SIPUT: The mystery of a missing cat was solved two days later when a check of closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage showed the pet being dragged away by a clouded leopard.
Now, residents of Kampung Tersusun Salak in Salak Baru are worried, not only for the safety of their pets, but their children and themselves.
Nurul Balqis Musa, whose cat it was that was dragged away by the clouded leopard, said the CCTV footage showed the beast sneaking into the compound of her parents' home.
She said the female cat, which the family had named "Petra", had been missing for two days before they thought to check the CCTV footage on Monday.
The 30-year-old said when neighbours found out what had happened, they became concerned.
This is as three other pet cats had gone missing before Petra did.
Nurul Balqis said, before the CCTV footage was seen, her family and neighbours had dismissed the matter.
However, she said, Petra's disappearance was considered strange because the cat was tame and rarely wandered far.
"I live in Ipoh but left Petra at my parent's house since I often work out of town and return to my hometown every weekend. Two days after Petra went missing, I decided to check the CCTV footage.
"I was shocked when the footage showed Petra being devoured by a clouded leopard estimated to be the size of an average goat about 3am. Petra was my beloved cat even though she had almost become a 'village cat' since my parents also kept eight other cats at their house.
"Previously, neighbours had also complained about the disappearance of three of their cats, but at that time, it wasn't strange since we thought they might have been taken by someone. However, following the CCTV footage showing Petra being devoured by the clouded leopard, residents are now beset with worry," she said when contacted.
The 20-second CCTV footage of the incident soon went viral on social media.
Nurul Balqis said she has reported the incident to the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) for further action.
Perak Perhilitan director Yusoff Shariff, when contacted, said his staff had been directed to the location to investigate.
"Yes, we received the report, and our staff have gone to investigate the area. We will set traps and advise the complainant to secure all other livestock or pets if there are any," he said.