A FAMILY from Bridgwater have warned residents to be vigilant after a second of their pet cats is believed to have suffered antifreeze poisoning.

Phillipa and Nick Warton-Browne, from Beech Drive, were left distraught after their two-year-old ginger tom cat, Fudge, had to be put down after eating cooked chicken which appeared to have been laced with antifreeze.

And less than two years ago their cat Rufus is also believed to have been killed by the poison, in what appeared to be a spate of pet deaths in the area.

Phillipa, who is pregnant, said it was very distressing. She added: “We had Fudge since he was a kitten. We took him to the vets on a Friday night and they did all the tests but said it wasn’t looking good – so the next day he was put to sleep.

“The children wanted to say goodbye, but I wished they hadn’t seen him that state – on a drip, unable to see and shaking.

“When I put him on my lap it calmed him down. It has been very distressing for us all.”

Fudge became ill after bringing the turquoise-blue chicken pieces home and was put to sleep as a result of renal failure, possibly from ethylene glycol poisoning, a chemical often found in antifreeze which is toxic to pets.

Phillipa said: “It is awful to think that someone may have deliberately poisoned chicken to harm cats or other animals.

“It is a residential area and, as well as cats, a dog or even a child could have picked up what we think was poisoned meat.”

It is not known where Fudge may have found the chicken but, after seeing him leave her garden, Phillipa said he returned with it about two minutes later. Inspector Sue Dobson, who is investigating, said: “If the chicken was deliberately laced with antifreeze it would suggest the person responsible was trying to target an animal, even if the intended victim was not a cat.

“I would urge anyone who has any relevant information to get in touch with the RSPCA so we can prevent any more cats or other animals from suffering.”

*Anyone with information can call the RSPCA Cruelty and Information line on 0300 1234999 and leave a message for Inspector Sue Dobson. Calls are treated in confidence.