AN investigation has been launched into a spate of cat poisonings in a town.

Four cats are believed to have fallen victim having swallowed anti-freeze – three of which have since died.

Police and the RSPCA are now investigating the deaths across the Totton area and whether the poisoning could have been deliberate.

One of the cats was 18-month-old Pandora, or Pandy, who was found in  Eling Lane by a dog walker.

She was nursed back to health at the RSPCA Stubbington Ark in Fareham, where a vet discovered she had drunk anti-freeze.

Pandora’s owner Jenni Richards, of Downs Park Avenue, is now keeping her four cats inside.

The 47-year-old said: “My 12-year-old daughter Harriet was in floods of tears as Pandora is her cat. I am relieved that we got our cat home safely. The RSPCA did a brilliant job.

“I was just horrified. I could not believe that there could be somebody around here who is careless enough to keep anti-freeze out or even do it on purpose – and if they are doing it on purpose they are sick.”

The Stratton family, who live in the same road, have lost two of their three cats, Whiskers and Rocky.

One-year-old tabby cat Rocky passed away shortly after owners Zoe and Jonathan Stratton found him hiding under a bush in their garden. Two weeks later Whiskers went missing and was found dead in the garden next door.

The couple say that in both cases they have been told by vets that it is suspected cat poisoning. 

Mum-of-two Zoe is now keeping the family’s one remaining cat, Troy, indoors.

She said: “My kids are distraught by this.”

Another cat which passed away was Gary, a one year-old ginger moggie, who was found near his owner’s home in Fishers Road by a neighbour.

Gary was taken to a vet in Millbrook where he died three days later. A urine blood sample tested positive for anti-freeze.

The RSPCA told the Daily Echo it could not rule out that someone had left the anti-freeze out deliberately.

A spokesperson said: “It is possible that people were simply unaware of the potential hazards to cats when they poured the antifreeze away. Similarly we cannot rule out that this was a deliberate act of cruelty and would ask anyone who has information to this effect to contact us immediately. 

“Whatever the circumstances we want to warn all cat owners of the dangers of antifreeze poisoning.”

Hampshire police confirmed it was aware of the deaths and was assisting the RSPCA and investigating if the deaths of cats in the area were linked.

Poisoning a cat deliberately is a criminal offence and can lead to a six month prison sentence and/or a fine of up to £20,000