Skripal’s guinea pigs found dead and vet has to put down cat
A CAT belonging to ex-spy Sergei Skripal was put down in the wake of the nerve agent attack, it emerged last night.
The black Persian, named Nash Van Drake, was found in a ‘distressed state’.
A veterinary surgeon made a decision to euthanise the animal to ‘alleviate its suffering’, it was said.
Mr Skripal’s two guinea pigs were also found dead in his Salisbury home when a vet gained access to the property. Sources said it was believed the guinea pigs died due to lack of water and had not been poisoned.
Bizarrely, their whereabouts had been brought into question by the Russian foreign ministry.
Spokesman Maria Zakharova said on Wednesday: ‘Where are the pets? What’s their condition?’ The decision to put down the cat was
made in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act 2006, sources stressed.
They said the animals were disposed of appropriately. Last night a Government spokesman said: ‘The property in Wiltshire was sealed as part of the police investigation.
‘When a vet was able to access the property, two guinea pigs had sadly died. A cat was also found in a distressed state and a decision was taken by a veterinary surgeon to euthanise the animal to alleviate its suffering. This decision was taken in the best interests of the animal and its welfare.’
The Ministry of Defence refused to comment on whether the animals had been tested at Porton Down military laboratory.