The Tassie devils in my neighbourhood keep stealing shoes and laundry, but I adore them | Kelley Swain

Kelley Swain recounts her experiences with Tasmanian devils exhibiting kleptomaniacal tendencies in the Huon Valley, Tasmania. These marsupials have a habit of stealing items left unattended, including shoes and laundry. Swain notes that leaving shoes out overnight often results in their disappearance. She shares an anecdote where a pair of knickers left to dry on a landlady's deck was snatched by a devil, prompting a chase to retrieve the item. Despite the minor inconveniences, Swain expresses affection for these creatures, finding their thievery amusing. The incidents occurred during the summer, around the time of the Cygnet folk festival, highlighting the contrast between the festival's family-friendly atmosphere and the devils' mischievous behavior.