Was pet cat Midnight poisoned by a killer?

RSPCA officers are investigating after a cat owner claimed her pet was killed with bleach.

Charlotte Elliott’s pet Midnight returned home screaming in agony, on Tuesday night.

The 11-month-old was rushed to the vets where she received emergency treatment for burn injuries.

But the cat also swallowed some of the corrosive substance, and it was decided she should be put to sleep.

Charlotte has now reported the incident to the police and the RSPCA.

Today, the 26-year-old has warned others to be on their guard.

She said: “I’m just really, really angry. I really don’t know why anyone would do that, and I couldn’t want it to happen to anyone else.”

Charlotte, who lives in Ebchester, near Consett, immediately realised something was wrong with Midnight.

“She got out my house without me knowing. She came back in soaked from the waist down. She was screaming and running into walls,” she said. “I put her in the shower and rushed her to the vets.

“They said she had a chemical burn and needed emergency treatment.”

Midnight was kept at the Prince Bishops Vets, in Consett, for four nights and was eventually allowed home.

But when her condition suddenly took a turn for the worse Charlotte was advised the kindest thing would be to have her put to sleep.

“There was nothing more they could do,” she said. “I had had her since she was eight weeks and she was 11 months. She was a lovely cat.”

The RSPCA, appealed for any- one with information to contact them on 0300 123 8018.

The charity is also urging other owners to take steps to keep their animals safe.

The spokeswoman said: “In the meantime, we would urge owners in the area to be extra vigilant. If you are concerned about your cat it is always a good idea for owners to take steps to ensure their cat’s safety, including; having them microchipped and keeping details up-to-date, keeping them to a routine to ensure they come home for food at certain points in the day in order to check their welfare, work with neighbours and local cat owners to keep an eye on each others’ pets and if you feel it is necessary, keep them inside from dusk until dawn to keep them safe overnight.

“We would also advise people to check that where they keep chemicals or pesticides is secure and away from cats.”