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A parrot that recites the jingles of well-known adverts and mimics ambulance sirens has gone missing after managing to escape from his cage.
Owner Elle Mier realised her beloved pet, called Freddie, had escaped from her home in Sea Street, Herne Bay, last Thursday.
The African grey parrot has only been spotted once in the intervening seven days, when he was seen perched on the clock tower in Central Parade on Monday.
And adding to Ms Mier's woes, she says she has been the target of several disturbing phone calls from an anonymous source, threatening to chop up the runaway bird.
"Somebody rang up on a private number saying ‘I’ve got your parrot – he’s dead’," the 42-year-old said.
“He then called up saying ‘I’ve been watching you. I know where you live’, and we put the phone down on him again.
“He rang again – this time he didn’t withhold his number – and said ‘I’ve got your parrot and if you don’t believe me, I’ll cut him up’.
“I couldn’t believe it. He rang up six or seven times.”
Ms Mier says she started receiving the troubling phone calls over the weekend, after posting appeals for anyone with information about Freddie’s whereabouts on social media to call her mobile.
Freddie left his home when his owner brought him out into the garden while he was in his cage.
He managed to tease open the door to the crate, which Ms Mier had failed to lock properly, before flying away.
“I’ve been in tears since he’s been gone. He is my world – I adore him,” she added.
“Freddie’s a little character and is friendly. He whistles, does ambulance sirens and is very talkative.
“Whenever we’d go out anywhere and say goodbye to him, he’d say ‘won’t be long’.
“He shouts his name out and copies the theme tunes of various TV adverts, like the one for TSB.”
Despite being lost for a week, Ms Mier believes her pet is still alive.
She hopes that she will be able to return Freddie to her home, which she shares with partner Lee Foad, soon.
“He will be able to survive out there and the weather’s been good,” Ms Mier explained.
“My worry is that someone will get him and I won’t hear any more of it.
“The fact he’s been seen is a positive sign.”
If you spot Freddie, call Ms Mier on 07971 373849.
