Street in cat poison probe was targeted years earlier

Lucy Symmonds lost her kitten Douglas in May after a blood test showed he had been poisoned

A street where four cats have been poisoned was the scene of identical attacks 13 years ago.

Police have a launched a new investigation after at least four cats died in the Ramsons Close area of Malvern in recent weeks.

Suspected attacks were first reported in 2011 after 15 cats and a dog died from ingesting antifreeze.

The BBC understands police are aware of previous incidents in the area.

Identical suspected poisonings were also reported five years ago which theRSPCA also investigated but it is not known what the the animal charity concluded.

Lucy Symmonds, who lives on Ramsons Close, has lost three cats to the suspected poisonings and hopes the fresh investigation will bring justice after years of the worrying pattern.

"I don't feel like my cat is safe up here, it's making me a nervous wreck and my children are nervous all the time.

"I want justice for my cats and people need to be aware so they can keep their pets safe."

A spokesperson for West Mercia Police said they had received a report that "a number of cats had died in the area, following suspected poisonings".

Signs to look out for

The RSPCA said signs of poisoning can be seen anything from 30 minutes after an animal has ingested the chemical, though it can be two or three days before signs of kidney failure are seen.

Symptoms of poisoning can include one, or several of the following:

• Vomiting

• Seeming depressed or sleepy

• Appearing drunk and uncoordinated

• Seizures

• Difficulty breathing