Owners warned after three cats poisoned
Three cats have died of poisoning in Rugeley in just two weeks – sparking a warning to pet owners.
Police today confirmed the deaths but worried owners say they believe there are many more cats going missing.
They say they some are turning up dead or being found dumped in canals. An online campaign group has now been set up to warn people and one animal lover is also offering a £400 reward for information that will help lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
Wayne Layton is offering the cash after looking on the Facebook page called Rugeley Missing Pets and being upset by the images and stories.
The 45-year-old said: "Rugeley is suffering from a cat killer. It is really upsetting. I have cats myself and reading some of the stories about people's cats going missing or dying from being poisoned I knew I had to do something."
Resident Lisa Greatrix set up the online page after three of her 10 cats went missing under suspicious circumstances over the space of just a few weeks.
She suspects two were poisoned with either slug pellets or anti-freeze as they returned home and died just hours later, and another, Trevor, has not returned home.
"I heard there were other people in the area having similar things happening to their pets and I wanted to do something about it," said the 44-year-old.
"I've heard of around 10 other cats go missing or dying suspiciously, and a couple of cats were even found dead in the canal. It's sickening and we need to do something about it."
Staffordshire Police said they had received three reports of cats dying in the Rugeley area between September 2 and 17. They are investigating poisoning in each case. Spokeswoman Sarah Davison said: " Officers from the Local Policing Team were made aware in case of further reports."
