Appeal For Information Following Reports Of Cat Poisonings In Llandysul

RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information, following reports of pet poisonings in the Llandysul area, Ceredigion. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The charity is also urging cat owners to be cautious after two cats – named Pearly and Murray – were sadly put to sleep in October, after the owner’s vet confirmed they had been poisoned with ethylene glycol, the main ingredient in anti-freeze. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Following the reports, the RSPCA has been making enquiries locally, and are appealing to the public to come forward with any information which may help uncover the circumstances in which the cats consumed the poison. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

It is also claimed that a dog had previously had to be put to sleep in the same area following a suspected poisoning. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

RSPCA inspector Holly Brown said: “This must be an incredible distressing time for the owner of the animals involved. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We don’t know whether these deaths were the result of accidental or deliberate poisoning. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“RSPCA Cymru is calling on anybody who may have information to get in touch to support our enquiries in the Llandysul area. The RSPCA inspectorate information line can be reached on 0300 123 8018, and all calls will be treated in confidence. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“We are also urging cat owners in the local area to ensure they are vigilant, and understand what to do if they think their cat has been poisoned, and to know the symptoms.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If people suspect their cat has been poisoned, it is vital they stay calm, remove their pet from the source of poison, contact their vet immediately, and follow their advice. If appropriate, it can be helpful to take a sample of whatever appears to have poisoned your pet – but people must not expose themselves to any harm. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Potential signs of poisoning could include vomiting, the cat seeming depressed/sleepy, appearing drunk and uncoordinated, seizures and difficulty breathing. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The poisoning of a cat deliberately is a criminal offence. The maximum penalty, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, for those found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering, is six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £20,000. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​