THREE cats from the Monksmead area of Tavistock have been put to sleep after suffering the effects of poisoning.

Residents from the area found the animals had been poisoned within a week of each other and believed the animals had consumed anti-freeze, which is very attractive to cats but also very toxic to them.

Coleen Coles, from Monksmead, said her beloved cat Ben, only three years old, was a victim of the poisoning.

She said: 'Firstly my neighbour's cat had been found crawling home after it went missing and the vet had found anti freeze crystals in her urine. Then my cat hadn't come home and I was obviously worried. My cat was later found in a garden at Deacons Green and it was the same situation that crystals were in his urine. Then a day later another cat was found.

'All three had to be put to sleep.

'We are hoping this is the last of it.'

Police, who are investigating the incidents, said it is the most commonly used substance for poisoning cats. Officers are treating the incidents as deliberate and are appealing for information. If someone is deliberately leaving out a poisonous substance, then it is likely that at some point they will have been seen putting out a bowl or other container, or otherwise acting oddly.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC Cathy Veale as soon as possible on 101, quoting crime reference number CR/42655/15.