A spate of cat poisonings in a Co Donegal village has left one pet dead and three more needing to be saved by vets.
The random Christmas poisonings have shocked locals in the village of Ballintra. Animal charity ‘Animals in Need Donegal’ has appealed to people to stop putting down poison.
They are trying to figure out if the poisonings are being carried out intentionally or may have been left for rodents – that then go on to poison the cats. A spokesperson said “We have been contacted by a distraught pet owner who lost their cat to what appeared to be poisoning last night.
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“This is the fourth cat in the area, Fair Green of Ballintra, to have been exposed. The other three cats got to the vets in time to be saved, so this is the first fatality that we know of.”
The Animals in Need spokesperson said the deaths of animals from poisoning can be very painful and terrifying for owners to witness.
They added “The symptoms of poisoning is distressing: frothing at the mouth and wobbly walk before collapsing. Urgent vet care is essential to give the cat a chance of survival.
“Cat poisoning can be accidental, with the poison having been laid for rodents or could be deliberately aimed at cats.
“If aimed at cats deliberately, it is often seen in areas with a large number of unneutered cats that keep breeding and someone has enough (yet another reason to neuter). This is NOT an excuse, but a justification we have heard in the past.
“The cat could also have caught and eaten an already poisoned rodent, this also happens to owls and other wildlife.
“Rodent traps are always recommended rather than poison if you have a bad rodent infestation as poisoning is cruel, and you can not control who’s the victims. Please be vigilant around the Ballintra area.”
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