A spate of cat deaths suspected to be as a result of poisoning has shocked an Angus neighbourhood.
The SSPCA said it’s been made aware of five deaths in the Threewells Drive area of Forfar during December and a further two reports with no details.
The cats presented with the same symptoms such as vomiting and fitting before they died.
Locals say the incidents have caused pet owners “unmeasurable pain”.
Thomas Grimes and his children Bethany and Nicholas are still coming to terms with the loss of their beloved pet Blanket.
Thomas told STV News: “We took him to the vet, she was feeling him about and she squeezed something on his inside.
“Her whole demeanour changed, the way she was talking.
“It was then I knew something was up.”
At just two years old, the cat passed away last month after his health suddenly deteriorated.
Thomas added: “I took him down here into the living room and just lay with him.
“It must have been about half 10 at night, judging by what was on TV, he passed in his sleep
“Probably one of the most difficult things I’ve had to do.
“But no one should lose an animal that way.”
Blanket’s death is among a spate of suspected cat poisonings in the area.
The SSPCA have now confirmed its enquiries have concluded, saying it has no more leads to explore, and no cause of death has been established.
Other pet owners in the neighbourhood have taken to social media to highlight their experiences.
One owner – who didn’t wish to speak on camera – says anti-freeze was detected by vets in their cat, but the SSPCA say it has not received any reports of this.
“I’d like to know, but at the same time I wouldn’t like to know,” Thomas said.
“It would be hard to think someone has gone out to do that on purpose.
“What would you do about that? It would be tough to process that information.”
He added: “Your heart goes out to their families as we know what we’ve had to go through.
“They may have small children too, so they’ve had to go through the same thing.
“No one should have to go through that.”
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