THE RSPCA has warned it will prosecute anyone suspected of poisoning animals after four cats in one street were put down after drinking anti-freeze.

The two distraught pet owners, who had to pay combined vets’ fees of £1,400, say it is too much of a coincidence to have been accidental.

Amanda Powell called the vet when she noticed one of her two moggies was unwell.

“She started fitting and when she was treated the other one became ill too,” said Mrs Powell, of Barlinch Close, Taunton.

“There was nothing the vet could do and they had to be put down.

“If someone purposely harmed them, it’s unbelievable. It seems to be too much of a coincidence.

“My 12 children – (two are adopted) - are all upset.”

The bill for treating and destroying Cookie, aged 4½, and 1½-year-old Crumble was £600. A third cat, which never ventures far after having a leg amputated last year following an attack by a dog, was not affected.

Days later, neighbour Flora Bridges lost her two cats, Monty, six, and Gordon, 11, putting her back £800.

She said: “Gordon was sat at the top of the stairs, very subdued, a bit grumpy and wouldn’t eat.

“My neighbour found Monty underneath a car unable to stand up, fitting and meowing in pain.

“Their urine was luminous they’d drunk so much anti-freeze – it must have been poured down them, I’m sure.

“I understand that not everybody likes cats, but that doesn’t mean you can do something so cruel.”

RSPCA spokesman Andy Robbins said people should get their pets to the vet straight away if they appear to have been poisoned.

He added: “The time it takes for potential poisoning to become fatal isn’t very long.

“It’s very difficult to prove whether poisoning cases are accidental or intentional, but in cases where we have proved it to be intentional, we have successfully prosecuted.”

Anyone who suspects an animal has been intentionally poisoned should call the RSPCA on 0300-1234999.