Mum fears cat poisonings in Bristol are no accident
A pet owner whose cat was one of nine to have died from poisoning in Brislington fears someone is doing it deliberately.
Nanette Brice, 42, says her two daughters are devastated by the death of their pet Oscar, five, who had to be put down after swallowing anti-freeze.
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Freya Brice with the family cat Oscar
Her children Freya, 10, and Lois, five, are devastated by the loss.
She said: "We are trying to keep an open mind but it's difficult.
"You can't help but think who would do this to a poor, defenceless cat – it's just sick.
"I have two little girls and they have been left heartbroken as it was their first pet but what can I say to them?
"There have been about 20 cats poisoned here and I know of similar killings in Somerset and Gloucestershire.
"I just don't understand why anyone would want to put the animals or the families through this – I'm totally disgusted.
"I hope it was an accident but I just don't believe that."
The nine cats which died in the Brislington area were treated at Highcroft Veterinary Group. Blood tests carried out on the pets all indicated anti-freeze poisoning.
The poisonings follow an horrific air gun attack on eight-month-old kitten Doon in the nearby Withywood area of Bristol in February.
Her owner Hannah Walker, 41, said Doon had to have a leg amputated after an air pellet shattered her elbow.
Two other cats in the Withywood area mysteriously disappeared last month and in February 13 cats were found dead or dying in Little Stoke, again from possible poisoning.
And the Bristol deaths follow a similar spate of 29 suspected anti-freeze poisonings last year in Somerset.
Of these, 18 were found dead in Bridgwater, nine at Weston-super-mare's Bournville estate and two more in Clevedon, all in the second half of 2008.
Vet Polly Cornwell, who works at Highcroft Veterinary Group in Brislington, warned owners to keep a close eye on their pets.
She said: "We don't like to speculate if these cats were poisoned intentionally but if they were it would be a horrific crime.
"The cats would die within a few hours of ingesting anti-freeze as it is a potent poison and very appealing to the animals because of the sweet taste.
"Thankfully, malicious attacks are very rare so we are keeping an open mind.
"However, we would urge all pet owners to keep their pets at home at this time."
37 Comments
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by DCW, Brislington
Saturday, April 11 2009, 4:16PM
“Perhaps the poisoning has been unintentional. Perhaps someone has been putting anti freeze in their water features to stop them freezing in the cold snap? just a thought.”
by Jan, Wick
Saturday, April 11 2009, 9:11AM
“Well well well I cannot belive some of the comments I have just read. First I must ask Sandra of Wick if she would mind contacting me as I would be very interested to come and see all these dead birds lined up in her garden overnight killed by the local cats, I think there might be a little exageration there. Secondly I love cats and own several but funnily enough I also love birds and in fact anything with a heart, lung, brain blood running through it vein oh and I love my garden as well.
My solution and hopefully it keeps the neighbours with thier presteen gardens happy as well - my cats are kept in from dusk to dawn, I have litter trays in the house but also a covered one outside. I love the birds and wildlife so feed and ecourage them to my garden, my cats dont wear collars or bells but I did purchase an RSPB approved CATWatch it is fab my cats can only sit and stare longingly at the flocks of birds on and around my bird table I have not had one dead, we even succesfully raised a blackbird family in my garden last year with all 3 babies fledging.
Finally the people that are purposefully harming by whatever method any pet because it is bothering/digging up thier garden etc does it not beg the question if a youngster was out playing football and the ball repeatately kept coming into thier gardens would you shoot the kids or leave sweets out laced with poison no any reasonable sensible person would have a word with the parents, now theres a thought communication ?”
by Vic, Bristol
Saturday, April 11 2009, 7:38AM
“How ridiculous to suggest that people who own cats care any less about starving children than anyone else. Actually I would suggest that those people who see fit to hurt or condone hurting small defenceless animals are probably the same sort of people who also hurt small defenceless humans. This is certainly how it is viewed in the US where anyone found guilty of animal cruelty is dealt with very firmly. Who are you Margaret to decree cats are vermin, if we all felt that any creature that personally irritated us should be culled, there would be various animals being slaughtered all over the place. I personally find living next door to a dog that yaps all day highly irritating but it doesnt mean I think all dogs are vermin and should be killed. Harming or killing a cat is illegal simple as that so you are clearly in the wrong”
by p, Bristol
Friday, April 10 2009, 8:36PM
“Randall, thankyou so much for your sarcasm to me,shooting cats is not cruel,any more than shooting a rat,in both cases death is instantantaneous,and rids us of vermin. Margaret, Swindon
Please tell me you've not brought any children into this world.God hel us.
Shooting a Cat is not cruel?You stupid,stupid woman.”
by Lisa, Bristol
Friday, April 10 2009, 8:16PM
“Margaret, Lacey, you are both examples of disgusting human beings. Attitudes such as yours are born of self-important small minds and yourno matter what you believe your life is absolutely and definitely no more important than any cat or rat. You are only lucky enough to have others that care enough about you otherwise you too would be vermin.”