A devastated Somerset family have begged those responsible for stealing their beloved barn owl Barney to return him - 'before he dies'.
Mum Kerry said her daughters Lilyrose, 7, and Jess, 16, are distraught after Barney went missing on Sunday (June 16).
The youngsters cannot accept their treasured pet has disappeared and keep checking to see if he has miraculously returned to their home in Yeovil.
She said: "They still keep going to look in the flight to see if he is there, it’s sad."
Kerry is convinced Barney was stolen - and the police have been informed.
She said: “I don’t care if the person who took him is caught, we just want Barney back before he dies because they don’t know how to look after him.
"I’m not interested in getting anyone arrested, he has no value, you can’t sell him on, you need a licence and he’s chipped.
"We know he was stolen and didn’t just escape because his flight was closed, with the padlock placed across the latch.”
Barney, who is micro-chipped and ringed for identification, was given to the family to raise from six weeks old.
At four months Barney is too young to fly very far and needs specialist feeding to keep him alive.
Kerry has heard that other pets in her part of Yeovil were also targeted when Barney was taken on Sunday night (June 16).
One dog was also "taken from a back garden", Kerry said.
Avon and Somerset police confirmed they are appealing for information after Barney was taken or released from his home.
A spokeswoman said: "Police are appealing for information after a pet owl was stolen or released from its aviary in Yeovil.
"The owner says the four-month-old barn owl is not be able to fend for itself.
"The padlock of the aviary was forced between 5pm and 11.30pm on Sunday June 16."
If you have information which could help, get in touch with the police through by calling 101, quoting reference number 5219135152.
Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They never ask your name or trace your call.
Want more news?
To subscribe to our daily newsletter, enter your email address into the box at the top of this story.
To keep up to date with our latest news, follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Find our Bath Facebook page here or Somerset's can be found here
Alternatively, follow us on Twitter - @BathLive and @SomersetLive
