A FAMILY pet has turned up three months after going missing during a burglary at an animal hotel' - and started a battle over a bill.

Bosses of a cattery have threatened to sue the owner of ginger and white tabby Hamish over an unpaid £350.

Five cats owned by Eleanor Brazendale, of Clitheroe, had been booked into Belthorn Cattery, Belthorn Road.

But when the family returned from holiday, they found Hamish had gone missing and refused to pay the cattery for any of their pets.

Cattery owner Lynne Booth claimed the pair had an agreement that Mrs Brazendale would pay for the board for each of the cats - except Hamish - if the missing moggie turned up.

But Mrs Brazendale said she would not pay and claimed the cattery was in breach of contract and negligent.

Hamish went missing during the August Bank Holiday after burglars broke in to the cattery.

He escaped as raiders left one of the pen gates open.

He was returned home last Wednesday after he was caught in the garden of the Grey Mare Inn off the Grane Road.

Landlord Stephen Prince, 33, said he had seen a cat hanging round near the pub for about a week and recognised it from posters put up by the Brazendales.

And while the family are glad to have Hamish back home, Mrs Brazendale, 52, said his safe return had been marred by the wrangle over payment.

She said: "He's part of the family but when I said I wasn't going to pay them I was told I'd be sued.

"We were unwilling to pay as we believe they were in breach of contract and negligent.

"We are delighted to have him back but unbelievably we are now being threatened with being sued."

Cattery owner Mrs Booth, 43, said: "I'm not going to charge them for the one that went missing but I want paying for looking after the other four and if we do not get paid we will have to go to the small claims court.

"I don't want to do this but I'll be writing to her to inform her and give her seven days to pay.

"What happened with the burglary had never occurred before and it was horrible but those cats were taking up space at a very busy time of year for us."