By Julie Morgan

Last updated at 11:41, Friday, 28 September 2012

A distraught mother-of-two is warning owners after her two cats died from anti-freeze poisoning.

Sarah and Michael Morris with daughter Sophie

Sarah Morris yesterday put down her pets, three-year-old Fudge and one-year-old Minstrel, after the vet confirmed they had drunk the liquid.

She believes her third cat, five-year-old Vimto, which died last Friday after being hit by a car, was “sluggish’’ after also being poisoned. Sarah, of Kirkstone Road, Whitehaven, does not know where her pets drank the liquid and is worried someone may have deliberately harmed them. Police are investigating.

“How anyone can be so cruel is beyond me,” she said.

“The cats were very friendly and my children loved them.

“I am so upset. I don’t want anyone else to feel this way so I have warned my neighbours and I want people to be aware.”

Her ordeal began last Friday, when she couldn’t find Vimto but eventually tracked her to a local vet’s clinic where she had been taken by a motorist who had seen the cat being hit by a van. Another driver had also stopped to offer a blanket to wrap the injured animal in but it died on the way to the clinic.

“Vimto was very aware of roads,’’ Sarah said. “I think she was feeling the effects of being poisoned and was sluggish when she was hit.’’

This week, she noticed Minstrel and Fudge were becoming ill and rushed them to the vet where they were eventually put down. Anti-freeze had been found in the animals’ urine.

“The vet said it was kinder to put them to sleep,’’ Sarah said. “My two-year-old daughter, Sophie, has been asking after the cats and four-year-old Grace is going to be so upset when she is told.’’

A police spokesperson said: “We advise everyone to be careful when using anti-freeze if filling up the car. Try to prevent spillages, store in an appropriate place and try to ensure it is in a suitable container which does not leak.’’

Anyone with information can contact PC David Slattery at Whitehaven police station on 101.

First published at 11:28, Friday, 28 September 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk