Huge cat on the loose in Honiton - have you spotted it?

One of the world’s largest domesticated breed of cat is on the loose in Honiton – and his owners are desperately trying to track him down.

Merlin, a 9kg Maine Coon, gave his owners the slip after he managed to break out of their fenced back garden at the beginning of the month.

John Gould, 60, says he and his wife Lisa had only had Merlin for three days before he launched his escape on September 2 - and they are urgently trying to locate the moggy before any harm befalls him.

Mr Gould, of George Street, Honiton, said: “Merlin escaped overnight. We have a fenced in rear garden and we thought it was absolutely cat-proof.

“But Merlin is huge and he obviously pushed his way out.”

The Goulds re-homed Merlin after his Ilminster-based owners separated.

When they picked him up, he was in need of a good groom, but Mr Gould said instead of ‘attacking him with the clippers’ straight away, they decided to let him become used to his new home.

However, Merlin escaped before they could groom him.

“It’s very possible that someone has found Merlin, thought he was neglected and took him in,” Mr Gould said.

“I don’t know where he would be. I have heard stories of some rehomed cats trying to find their old homes, but that would be one hell of a walk for him.”

In the last ten days, the Goulds have exhausted their efforts to find Merlin – enlisting the help of charity Cats Protection, pinning up flyers and posting appeals on social media.

Mr Gould said he is worried that Merlin has ‘no road sense’, as he never left the confines of his home and garden.

He is now urging anyone who thinks they may have spotted the giant cat to get in touch.

“Merlin is very gentle,” he added. “We have five other cats, and that is the reason we fenced off the back garden.

“He is obviously a bit of a magician to have escaped from it.”

Anyone who thinks they may have spotted Merlin can call Mr Gould on 01404 548270.