Is a cat killer on the loose in Wolverhampton? Probe after pets found poisoned with antifreeze

The Ashmore Rescue for Cats said several cats had been found poisoned in Wolverhampton by the toxic substance antifreeze.

And 20 cats are currently missing in the Ashmore Park area of Wolverhampton.

The alleged deliberate poisoning of the animals has left many owners distraught, with brutal affects of the antifreeze on the cats' bodies leaving owners with no choice but to put them down.

Stanley, who was around two years old, went missing last week and was found poisoned by the substance, which is used in the radiators of cars to cool the engine.

He was put down on February 22 at St George's Veterinary Hospital in Wolverhampton.

The poison had catastrophic effect on the young cat's internal organs, which effectively shut down, meaning he was unable to function.

Distraught owner Samantha Middleton, 34, of Ferguson Road, wrote a message to Ashmore Rescue's Facebook page, detailing what happened to him.

"It was obvious she had been crying as she wrote it," said Sally Edwards, founder of the rescue centre.

"She said the poisoning had made his lithium levels go sky high, and his pulse drop, he was in such agonising pain." One of Miss Middleton's other cats, Crystal, is now missing. She no longer allows her other cat to leave the house.

Another cat, Buzz, was only 15 months old when he went missing on January 25 and was found dead a week later on January 29, under a bush in a private garden. Owners Liam and June Careless of Blackham Road took their beloved cat's body to the vets, where they were unable to rule out that the kitten had been poisoned. June is aware of three other cats that have gone missing in her area.

"Thankfully he was found, but he was so small and alone, I can't believe anyone would want to do this.

"They say that people who start by hurting animals like this go on to hurt people, and that's a very disturbing thought," Sally added.

"Just the other day I had another report of it happening in the Low Hill, Hawkesford Crescent area and in Bilston."

She said she would be informing the police about the cat deaths and poisonings in due course.

The RSPCA is looking into the deaths of the cats, though no one has yet been identified as responsible.

"Sometimes it can simply be a dog or cat licking water from a puddle where antifreeze has accidentally leaked, but it appears to be too much of a coincidence in the area for that to be the case," Miss Edwards added.

"But the cats die in the most horrendous way after ingesting it," she said, "This is a widespread problem and sadly too many people now know the dangers of this product."

Anyone with information should call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.