Give us your money or the budgie gets it: Burglars kill pet in front of great-grandmother

Give us your money or the budgie gets it: Burglars kill pet in front of great-grandmother

By David Wilkes
Last updated at 11:07 PM on 18th January 2009


The budgie was a 'soulmate' for the 78-year-old great-grandmother

Burglars who broke into the home of a 78-year-old woman killed her pet budgie
when she refused to hand over her savings.

The frail great-grandmother watched on helplessly as the bird’s neck was snapped in front of her.

The robbers searched her house and found ?150, but didn’t let her ordeal end there.

Before escaping they locked their sobbing and terrified victim inside her home.

On Sunday police revealed the devastating impact five-year-old George's death has had on the frail pensioner as they condemned the 'brutal' raiders for robbing her not only of her cash but also of her 'soulmate' during the raid in Cathays, Cardiff.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Wales said: 'This was a despicable crime on an elderly lady who is in poor health, where we believe these men have targeted her because of her age and because she lives on her own.

'She has been very brave throughout the whole ordeal but has been badly shaken up.

'The victim is deeply upset because not only has she been the victim of a crime, she has also lost her pet budgie, her soulmate, in a brutal and disturbing manner.'

The pensioner, who has not been named, was at home watching television with only five year old George for company when the intruders sneaked in through an insecure door on Friday.

They demanded she hand over ?100 cash, then threatened her with her own walking stick and pushed her into a chair next to George's cage.

Incensed that she would not comply, one of the thugs then plucked the budgie from his cage and killed him.

George's body was later taken away by police for forensic analysis to look for clues to help catch his killers.

On Sunday he was returned to one of her friends so he can be given a dignified send-off.

A South Wales Police spokesman said: 'We tested George but returned his body to a friend for safe-keeping and in case this poor lady wants to bury him.

'It just shows how important pets are to many people and particularly to those living alone.'

Officers were 'deeply touched' by the woman's plight, the spokesman added.

'She is heartbroken and devastated,' he said. 'This elderly lady lives along with only her pet budgie for company.

'She said she talked to George every day and he was her companion and her soulmate in life for the last four or five years.

'She is very upset at his death, but also at the callous and cruel nature of the people who came into her home to kill him and rob her.'

The burglar who killed George was thin with a pale complexion, and wore a black beanie hat, a dark scarf across his face and dark clothing. The other man was also wearing dark clothing, and both were described as in their 20s.

Police are appealing for witness who may have seen the men around the time of the incident, which happened between 7pm and 7.35pm.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1121043/Give-money-budgie-gets-Burglars-kill-pet-great-grandmother.html