Seven cats die from suspected poisoning
Friday 14th May 2010, 8:00PM BST.
Seven young cats have died in Telford in the last two weeks from suspected antifreeze poisoning, RSPCA said today.
Old Pound Veterinary Centre in Bradley Road, Donnington Wood, alerted the charity to its concerns about the high number of cats dying from the same symptoms. All the cats had renal failure issues and some had mouth ulcers.
The cats all came from the Donnington area from streets including James Way and Furnace Lane.
Rebecca Smith, 25, from Furnace Lane, had to have her six-month-old cat Buttons put down after she was found in a neighbour’s garden with what looked like injuries caused by being hit by a car.
The vets informed Miss Smith that Buttons was actually suffering from renal failure and a neurological condition caused by poisoning.
Miss Smith said: “Me and my little boy are devastated, Buttons was only six months old. We would have liked to have known how she died but I couldn’t afford the tests.”
Miss Smith also claimed that two neighbours had to have their cats put down as well after suffering from the same symptoms. Miss Smith said: “I think it’s either someone doing it deliberately or there has been a spillage but nobody uses antifreeze at this time of year, it’s too warm.”
RSPCA inspector Jackie Hickman said: “By the time owners realise their cats are unwell it is too late for the vets to save the animals.”
The charity has been urging local people to check their garages and sheds for any spillages.
By Holly Evans
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Who ever is doing this is sick and needs anti freeze pouring down their throat!
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whilst i have every sympathy with the owners it does need to be made clear that antifreeze is also used as a summer coolant in vehicles and aslo needs to be stored so regardless of being used at this time of year it will still available as such,a container could of leaked of someone may of drained it into an open container or the like which the poor animals have come into contact with
again i have every sympathy for the owners it is a horrible feeling losing a pet and if someone is doing this purposely then i hope they are caught and given punishment to the full extent of the law
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What a lovely kitten, my sympathy goes out to Miss smith, I hope people take note and check that if they have any anti freeze around their home, it is not leaking and is stored safe.
But If it is a malice thing that someone is doing it, I hope they are caught and dealt with firmly.
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This is no accident, i also live in James way, and we lost our cat to anti-freeze poisoning this same time last year. The vets bill was horrendous and i struggled to make the payment but we couldn’t watch him suffer any longer and allowed them to put him to sleep, it was heartbreaking. They need to find who is doing this!!!
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My sympathies go out to all the owners. I love cats myself. This seems to be confined to a certain area with James Way backing onto Furnace Lane, maybe residents could do a door to door asking neighbours to check for spillages or keep an eye out for food being left out for cats that may have been tampered with? I hope the cause is found and eradicated very soon
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