HUNT FOR POISONER KILLING CITY PETS

Cats were left to die agonising death

Three pet cats suffered painful deaths after being deliberately poisoned in Braehead.

Mylo, Trigger and Louis, who lived with separate owners on Kirkside Crescent, died after ingesting antifreeze.

The poisonous ingredient is known to cause animals a cruel death, with symptoms including vomiting, lethargy and head-shaking, followed by coma and renal failure.

The incidents happened on or around Sunday, March 18, and a special investigations team from the Scottish SPCA have launched a probe.

The charity is urging pet owners in the area to be extra vigilant following the cruel act.

They say that anti-freeze can be put in things like milk and cat food and left outside for unsuspecting pets to consume.

The animals fell ill upon returning home and were rushed to the vet as a result.

However, they could not be saved and a post-mortem revealed that they had ingested anti-freeze.

An undercover inspector from the charity’s special investigations unit said: “The poisoning of domestic animals is a huge issue and we deal with a large number of complaints regarding poisonings and they are incredibly difficult to solve due to the very nature of the crime.

“Poisoning an animal will cause a huge amount of suffering and, in the majority of cases, a slow and painful death.

“By the time symptoms occur, such as vomiting,

lethargy and, in the latter stages, head-shaking and coma, it is normally too late to treat.

“Renal failure is most often the cause of death, with irreparable damage to the kidneys.

“Pet owners in the area should be vigilant when letting their cats out of the house, and should supervise their animals where possible.

“We ask anyone with information to get in touch. All information will help to prevent anymore animals being needlessly killed. All information is dealt with confidentially.”

Anyone with information can contact the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.