Feline knicker nicker likely to knock your socks off

If you can't find one of your socks this morning, read on . . . If your school tie isn't where it should be, read on . . . If your cream lacy knickers seem to be missing . . . well, the Robertson family of Pacific St, Dunedin, might be able to help.

They are the owners of an 8-year-old Burmese cat, Misty, who has a penchant for clothing. He collects ties, leotards, underwear, T-shirts and polypropylene tops - he once brought home a skirt - but mostly he just collects socks.

Yesterday morning, Linda and Chris Robertson were confronted with a haul of 11 stolen socks, including three pairs.

It was a sock too far for a family who have, until now, been quietly coping alone with their kleptomaniac cat. They have decided to go public with a plea for a cure.

Aside from the obvious, ultimate solution, can a cat with light paws be cured?

Linda Robertson believes Misty enters other people's houses through their cat flaps. On one occasion, he took a sock from a second-storey bedroom while its owner was asleep.

Near neighbours have a simple rule they follow: "Sock missing? Ring Robertsons!"

Occasionally, the Robertsons find a pleading letter in their letterbox from a distraught child missing a favourite piece of clothing.

The family, however, has been left with three supermarket bags full of clothing, including a white singlet, a pair of "hot hips" knickers, one T-shirt, and lots and lots of socks.

Owners are welcome to claim them, although it is too late for various unwashed Otago Boys High School sports socks, which had to be put down.

Misty's problem first surfaced on Christmas Day five or six years ago when he added a pair of men's black underpants to the Christmas morning proceedings.

On one occasion, a woman who went to the Robertsons' house to calibrate a computer picked up Misty and hugged him.

Misty jumped down, scooted out the cat door and came back 10 minutes later with an offering of black lacy knickers for the woman.

All suggested cures can be emailed to staff photographer Linda Robertson at linda.robertson@odt.co.nz

• Lost taste for crime?

A previous cat burglar was exposed in September 2004.

Podge, of Mornington, spent two and a-half years taking shoes from porches.

An animal behaviourist declared such crimes were "misdirected predation" - an urbanised response to the hunting instinct - and "almost impossible to stop".

However, 18 months ago he stopped of his own accord, the result of dental problems, his owners believe.

Podge, now 12, was the son of Kizzi, a well-known sock and slippernapper.