A DEVASTATED animal lover is calling for justice after three of her cats were poisoned with antifreeze.

Sarah Tiller, of Sterte Road in Poole, took rescue cats Candy, Pixie and Snowball to the PDSA charity in Moordown after discovering they had breathing difficulties.

Despite the best efforts of the vets, all the animals had to be put down as they suffered kidney failure. Sarah, 47, said: “They were poisoned at different times, so it feels like it could be malicious.

“We found Candy under the bed at 8.45am on Sunday with breathing difficulties, and rushed her to the vet. “He put her on oxygen and did x-rays. Then at about 10pm, my other cat started showing the same signs.”

Snowball was put down on Wednesday, August 7 and tests showed all the cats had been given antifreeze. A fourth cat, Smudge, has now been taken to the PDSA centre showing the same symptoms. The substance tastes appealing to animals, but ingesting even the smallest amount can kill.

Sarah, who has a further five rescue cats, said: “It’s left me feeling so worried and upset.

“One of my cats, Tom Tom, has gone missing, and I’m now wondering if he’s been poisoned and left somewhere. It’s just left us so shaken up.”

Candy was five years old, while Pixie was just a year, and Snowball was seven.

“I promised them both I’d find out who did this so he or she can be brought to justice,” the mum-of-five said.

“I cuddled them both while the vet put them to sleep. I want whoever did this to face the consequences of their actions, and I want to warn others about this. I don’t want this to happen to anyone else.”

A Dorset Police spokesperson confirmed that officers are investigating, adding: “If anyone has any information, we would urge them to call 101 incident number 5:324.”

Go to vets immediately

The RSPCA has advised pet owners to take their animals to the vet immediately if it is suspected they may have come into contact with antifreeze or leaked water coolant.

Signs of antifreeze poisoning can start to show as soon as 30 minutes after ingestion, although it can be two or three days before there is evidence of kidney failure.

The poisoning of a cat can constitute a criminal offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, and the maximum penalty for anyone found guilty is up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £20,000.

Symptoms to watch out for in your animals include: Vomiting and seizures Appearing ‘drunk’ or uncoordinated Difficulty breathing Increased thirst Increased urination