The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after five cats died and a further two are missing in a Lanarkshire town.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity is investigating the suspicious circumstances that have occurred over a three-month period in the Elphinstone Crescent area of Biggar after a concerned neighbour called its animal helpline on June 17.
The charity is now appealing for anyone with information to come forward to help them with the probe into the felines.
Scottish SPCA inspector Dawn Robertson said: “This has been an incredibly upsetting and stressful time for the owners of the cats and we would like to get to the bottom of what has happened.
“It is very unusual to have five cats pass away and two be missing over such a short space of time. The most recent deceased cat was discovered only this morning.
“Four of the cats that passed away lived on Elphinstone Crescent and the other was a regular visitor to the area. One of the missing cats is from the same street and the other is from the Biggar area.
“Three were involved in road traffic accidents and the other two deaths were determined inconclusive after post-mortem.
“It might be that there is a substance somewhere local that is causing the cats to be poisoned or become confused which has caused them to wander on to the road.
“We would urge everyone to be vigilant with their disposal of any toxic substance, such as anti-freeze, that can be poisonous to cats and other animals.
"It is essential that everyone stores substances out of reach.
“Alternatively, and we hope this is not the case, this could be a deliberate attempt to harm, or kill, these cats. Anyone using any method to cause injury on purpose is committing an offence and is punishable by law.
“We are urging anyone with any information to contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”
