Poisoner kills six cats in a week in one street: RSPCA tests show family pets had consumed antifreeze

  • The poisoned cats all lived on Albert Street in Padiham, near Burnley
  • Became disorientated and behaved as though drunk before collapsing dead
  • RSPCA is investigating the 'horrendous act of cruelty' against the pets

A cat killer is being hunted after at least six pets were poisoned in a week in the same street.

The cats became severely disorientated and behaved as though drunk before collapsing and dying.

Tests showed that each had consumed antifreeze and the RSPCA believes they were killed intentionally. Other owners in Albert Street in Padiham, near Burnley, fear their pets are at risk.

Emma and Cadie Mayor are two of the residents on Albert Street in Padiham, near Burnley, whose beloved cat died after drinking antifreeze which the RSPCA believe was used to poison the pets deliberately

Emma and Cadie Mayor are two of the residents on Albert Street in Padiham, near Burnley, whose beloved cat died after drinking antifreeze which the RSPCA believe was used deliberately to poison the pets

Emma Mayor, 34, whose cat Gizmo was one of those to die, said: ‘We just thought he must have just found the antifreeze somewhere and drank it but who would be using antifreeze in June?

'Now we know that six have died altogether so someone must be doing it deliberately.'

She had to take her pet Gizmo to the vet after he appeared to be ‘drunk’ and was struggling to walk or stand up. Miss Mayor was told there was nothing that could be done and he had to be put down.

She said the terraced street in Padiham in Lancashire used to be known as ‘Cat Street’ due to the high number of felines living there.

But the numbers have been decimated by a cruel campaign to wipe them out.

She said: ‘Gizmo wasn’t just a cat, he was the love of my life. I got him when my mother died and he cheered me up and just became part of the family. He was my little boy. I’m devastated by what’s happened.’

Miss Mayor's cat Gizmo had to be taken to the vet after appearing 'drunk' and struggling to walk or stand up. The vet had to put Gizmo down, saying there was nothing they could do to help

Miss Mayor's cat Gizmo had to be taken to the vet after appearing 'drunk' and struggling to walk or stand up. The vet had to put Gizmo down, saying there was nothing they could do to help

Vivien Storey, 44, whose cat Diesel died last week, only realised there was something wrong when her 14-year-old pet tried to jump over a wall, fell and had a fit.

Vivien Storey, 44, another resident on the street, also had to watch her cat Diesel die after he drunk the poison

Vivien Storey, 44, another resident on the street, also had to watch her cat Diesel die after she drunk the poison

‘It upset me that much that I went outside into the street to try to find someone to help me. I just couldn’t look at her, it was breaking my heart.

‘I rang my husband and he came home and wrapped her in a towel and took her to the vets,’ Mrs Storey said yesterday.

‘She said it was the same symptoms as other cats in the street and that we’d have to have her put to sleep.’

The RSPCA is also investigating the poisoning of cats in nearby Nelson.

Inspector Charlotte Booker said: ‘This is a horrendous act of cruelty against pets that are much-loved and it will not be tolerated. We also want to urge all cat owners in these areas to be vigilant and to look out for the symptoms of poisoning. ‘

She said cats who display tell-tale symptoms of anti-freeze poisoning can be treated and recover if they are taken to the vet within the first 24 hours.

‘Cats often look as though they are drunk and struggle to move around as normal,’ she said. ’If anyone notices any of these symptoms, please get your cat to the vets straight away.’

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 offenders face a six month jail sentence or a fine of up to £20,000 if convicted.

 

No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.