Cats poisoned by anti-freeze

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Cat owners in a village in Fife have said they are too afraid to let their pets out after about 20 vanished or were poisoned in one street.

People in Kennoway's Halfields Gardens believe a serial cat killer armed with anti-freeze could be at work.

One vet has treated three cats which were previously healthy but suddenly developed acute kidney failure.

Feline owners in the area have been warned to keep their pets indoors for the time being.

James Thomson Walters lost a cat about two months ago.

He said: "I've got two just now and I'm still concerned in case they go missing.

"It's deliberate as far as we know - they've been poisoned by anti-freeze.

"Two or three of them went to the vet and they've been for an autopsy and found anti-freeze in their system." The cats initially present very thirsty, some vomiting, some very wobbly in their legs John StewartVet

Fellow resident Zoe Clark has also seen several of her cats disappear.

"Police have been involved, there's nothing they can do though," she said.

"The SSPCA's involved as well so hopefully something will be done about it.

"Everybody in the street's scared to let their cats out."

Cupar vet John Stewart has treated three young cats from Halfields Gardens.

He said: "The anti-freeze is very sweet so that in itself attracts them.

"It only takes a very small volume to prove fatal.

"The cats initially present very thirsty, some vomiting, some very wobbly in their legs and within hours they progress to being very depressed and eventually go into kidney failure."

"I would advise people in the area to keep their cats inside, also for everyone to check their gardens and garages to make sure there have been no bottles of anti-freeze spilled over or left out by accident."