Dinky, 'the most famous cat in Dubai', dies

A cat which found fame after going missing on a journey from Dubai to England has died at the age of 10.

Dinky, a ragdoll cat, was supposed to have been loaded on to a plane to return to the Wellingborough area, Northamptonshire, with owners Ian and Sue Lees in July 2017 - but when the couple landed, the cage was empty.

After pleas were made on social media in Dubai, he was eventually found and brought home in October that year.

The family, who dubbed him "Dinky, the most famous cat in Dubai" said he died suddenly on Monday but had "definitely made his mark on this earth during his adventurous life".

Mr and Mrs Lees had been living in Dubai for five years when they left for the UK with their two cats.

However, at Gatwick Airport they were reunited with one cat, and one empty cage.

The theory was that Dinky had gone missing at the airport in Dubai. Eventually, after much publicity, he was found at a rescue centre 18 miles (29km) away from where they had last seen him.

Mr Lees travelled out and brought the cat back home, where he happily roamed the garden and got used to the British winters.

The Lees' daughter, Donna Bailey, who managed Dinky's Facebook page, said on Monday: "It is with great sadness that Dinky passed away today. He will be truly missed. Definitely made his mark on this earth during his adventurous life."

She told the BBC that Dinky was "still very sprightly" and had been running around the garden when he suddenly collapsed.

"Dad, bless him, tried to revive him but couldn't. So we think Dinky had a heart attack."

Mr Lees said Dinky had seemed "as healthy as anything and was bouncing around as normal" before his other cat alerted him that something was wrong by "yowling".

He said he did his best to revive his pet but his efforts did not work.

He and Ms Bailey said they were "devastated" by the loss.

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