POLICE are warning cat owners in the Lower Road area of Ledbury to be wary after several cats were poisoned.

Police community safety officer David Alexander of the local safer neighbourhood team said a family in the road had reported on Saturday that three of their cats had been poisoned and one had died.

He said: "The poisoning has been confirmed by Leadon Vale Vets and although the other two are still alive, the mortality rate after treatment is 97 to 100per cent. The cat's owner has been left heartbroken.

The police team have delivered leaflets in the area in the hope that somebody has information.

Symptoms of the poisoning s include vomiting, seeming depressed or sleepy, appearing uncoordinated, seizures, difficulty breathing, increased thirst and increased urination.

He said that poisoning cats can constitute a criminal offence; under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 the maximum penalty for anyone found guilty is up to six months in prison and/or a £20,000 fine.

Anyone with information is asked to call Ledbury Safer Neighbourhood Team via the on-emergency number 101, quoting incident 0278s/ 041014, or email ledbury.snt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk.