Hunt for cat killer after four Plymouth pets are poisoned
TWO Southway families have been left devastated after four pet cats were poisoned with antifreeze and died.
Police are investigating after the cats, all from the same street, had to be put down as a result of ingesting antifreeze.
Louise Pendall, of Lizard Close, has been left "numb" after three of her beloved cats were among those poisoned.
She said: "Me and my family are absolutely devastated – these animals were part of our family.
"Whoever has done this is a threat to society and needs locking up – they're evil, sick in the head and just wrong."
For Mrs Pendall, who spent over £800 on vets' bills in two days, the nightmare began on Friday morning when she found her nine-year-old tabby cat Henry shaking with his tongue hanging out of his mouth. She rushed Henry to a local vet who ran tests and diagnosed the cat was suffering from antifreeze poisoning.
And just a few hours later Mrs Pendall was forced to rush another of her cats, five-year-old Inky, to the vets after she began to display similar symptoms.
Both Henry and Inky were treated by staff at Woodlands Veterinary Hospital where they were put on drips, containing neat vodka - the antidote for antifreeze, and monitored overnight.
But on Saturday morning the Pendall family had to have both cats put to sleep after learning they had gone blind and all their major organs had failed.
And things went from bad to worse for the family on Sunday as their nine-month-old kitten, Daisy, also became ill as a result of antifreeze poisoning and was put to sleep the same day.
Mrs Pendall said: "Southway is a big area and because it's all three of my cats I feel like the attack has been directed mainly towards me – it's too close to home."
Just two doors down from the Pendall family Chris and Helen Crocker also lost their four-year-old cat Sasha after it, too, had been poisoned.
PCSO Jane Forder, who is helping with the investigation, said: "House-to-house calls have been completed in the area. If anyone has information then we would be really grateful if they came forward.
"This is a malicious attack on innocent animals that has upset two families – they are not just cats, they're family pets."
Police are now urging other pet owners in Southway to be extra vigilant and keep their cats indoors.
Nick Marsh, the veterinary surgeon who treated all four cats, said: "I'm still upset about these events now. It was a horrendous case to deal with and very traumatic for all concerned.
"Antifreeze is incredibly poisonous to cats - if you think your cat has ingested it take it to a vet as soon as possible."
Symptoms of antifreeze poisoning include vomiting and seizures, as well as appearing drunk and wobbly.
Tracy Cunningham, PCSO for the Southway area, said: "We want to make people aware that this has happened and urge them to keep their cats in.
"If it was one cat maybe we could say it was a mistake, but four, well I don't think we can say that's a mistake – we've got more of a problem here."
Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101 quoting crime reference number EL/12/810.
62 Comments
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by Melanie90
Tuesday, February 28 2012, 2:01PM
“Not all cats like to live indoors and would be miserable. I have several rescued cats and provide a litter tray, although I know for a fact they do not use it all the time, but there's nothing I can do about that.
Outdoor cats should be valued for keeping the rodent population under control not hated and poisoned.
My heart goes out to the families who have lost their beloved pets. They are in a better place now, away from the cruel sadists of this world.”
by Peter20113
Friday, February 24 2012, 11:54PM
“@redapesrevolt
I so agree. Once cats and children are gone, the next will be adults and then no -one will be left ...spooky but true”
by RedApesRevolt
Friday, February 24 2012, 10:41PM
“If someone can hurt and kill an animal then there is a greater likelihood that they can do the same to a small child.What sort of scumbag would kill an innocent animal ?These seem to be deliberate actions and the police confirm that ,plus the fact that there have been four deaths makes it very,very unlikely that this is a mistake.
Also I would just like to pint out that when animals kill .. even in a ritualistic ,planned and premeditated way..they do so they are hard wired to behave in that way..they can do nothing to alter this behaviour,it is pure nature.Humans have far more room for making choices than do other animals .This inadequate who killed these cats had a choice,he chose the cruellest one which caused death and suffering.
My heart goes out to those people who have been deprived of their loving cats.”
by Bavaria
Friday, February 24 2012, 8:37PM
“ANYBODY..who wishes Pain or Death on another animal
(Humans are the lowest form) should try it on their own
family first. Then again....It happens most days inour
Human Civilised World.”
by hjm4l
Friday, February 24 2012, 8:16PM
“Decided to spend a couple of hours in my garden today and yes,as usual had to clear up the stinking mess first.
Apart from the people who act in a responsible manner by keeping their own cats indoors or within their boundary i wouldn't give a stuff if the rest disappeared off the face of the planet.
I don't condone cruelty but this is just another type of anti-social behaviour and unacceptable.
People who allow a cats to roam should be restricted to owning one only.”
by smilingduck
Friday, February 24 2012, 6:04PM
“Dog owners have to pick up their dogs mess so why cant cat owners ? About time new rules came in for cat owners to many cats out wondering around day and night cause the owners cant be bothered with them .”
by BS_Hater
Friday, February 24 2012, 2:26PM
“Mike5Charsmin
This morning next doors fat over sized moggie killed a male pheasant resplendent in all his mating colour glory at the bottom of my Garden. He did not eat it or kill it quickly, how is that 'evolved hunting behaviour'. Please do explain to us all what useful purpose this serves? Where do you get 'your' facts, the cat lovers journal??
In addition do not use big words that the majority of people do not understand, it is not inappropriate to attribute characteristics assumed to be only exhibited by humans to many animals. Chimpanzees for example, certain groups of which use tools and in one particular example have been seen to use small 'spears' (sharp sticks) to kill and extract 'Bush Babys', a smaller primate, from holes in trees.
The comment has been made on here that it was probably an accident, personally I favour this explanation.”
by LordorNothing
Friday, February 24 2012, 10:53AM
“josies3232..
i will if you will!”
by josie3232
Friday, February 24 2012, 9:52AM
“Absolute cruelty and I hope they find the culrpit and lock them up. It does not matter if you dislike cats or find them a nuisance, they are living creatures who do not deserve to have pain inflicted on them. I choose not to have children and do not enjoy it when parents allow them out on the streets to stupid o'clock. Neither do I appreciate the vandalism, intimidation or nuisance that I see some teenagers cause. However, it does not mean it is acceptable for me to go out on the street and start poisoning them! They cause far more of a nuisance than cats.”
by Vinnie_Gar
Friday, February 24 2012, 9:37AM
“gembet
"dont comment if you dont like animals"
Good to see you embrace the spirit of open debate.
I think you'll find that most comments criticise irresponsible cat owners.”