MEMBERS of a Southampton community fear that a cat-killer could be on the loose after four family pets were mysteriously poisoned in the same street.

Two of the moggies eventually had to be put down by vets after the poison caused acute kidney failure.

Their devastated owners believe that the cats, one of which was just a year old, had their food deliberately laced with poison.

Police have now launched an investigation into the incidents after Chloe Dyer, 24, and her husband Pete, 28, of Clarendon Road, Shirley , reported finding six tins of cat food left open in an alleyway, which runs alongside their end of terraced house.

And fellow resident, Stephanie Wood, 31, has sent out letters to warn her neighbours about the poisonings, after her cat had to be put to sleep.

Inspector Rachel Stokes, from Shirley police station, said: “We don’t know for sure that the cats have been poisoned deliberately but it’s a distinct possibility and if it is the case then this is a despicable crime . “I would ask anyone who has any information about these incidents to contact us. We would also like to hear from anyone else who also believes their cat may have been a victim, too.

“For the moment we would also recommend cat owners in the area remain vigilant and keep a close eye on their animals.”

The news comes after RSPCA chiefs revealed that there had been a “worrying” increase in the number of cat poisoning cases across the UK, after receiving almost 600 call-outs last year.

A spokesman added: “We are deeply concerned and extremely saddened by the recent spates of antifreeze poisonings in cats across the country.

“We would like to take this opportunity to remind the public that antifreeze poisoning can cause animals pain, suffering and distress, ultimately resulting in their death.”

Other cat owners in the street have now been placed on alert.

Maria Roberts, 49, who has a ten-year-old cat, Benny, said: “I can’t stand cruelty to animals but especially cats.

“I am very worried. Luckily I’m a teacher so I am off work at the moment and can keep a closer eye on Benny for the next few weeks.

“I’d like to think that someone isn’t going around poisoning cats, but if they are, it’s just horrific.”

Anyone with information should contact Shirley police station on 101.

Chloe and Peter Dyer contacted police and the RSPCA after they found six tins of cat food that had been opened and left in an alleyway next door to their Clarendon Road home.

They threw the tins away, fearing that the food may contact a harmful substance.

Despite their quick thinking, the couple discovered that two of their three cats, two-year-old Claudia and one of her kittens, Hector, had been poisoned.


Both cats were treated at an emergency veterinary centre in Bitterne over the course of the next 48 hours, to flush the substance out of their systems.

But days later the couple’s second kitten, Enid, was also struck down by the poison, which vets believe to be antifreeze.


Her condition deteriorated rapidly and, after being examined by the vet, Chloe and Peter made the heartbreaking decision to have one-year-old Enid put to sleep.

“It’s such a horrible thing for a cat to have to go through and a really painful way for them to die,” Chloe said. “Just touching Enid was causing her to cry out in pain.

“We did everything we could but it wasn’t enough to save her.

“We’d had all three cats from the day they were born and now they have been separated like this. Who would want to do something like that?”