THREE cats have died in a village in what the pets’ owners claim are suspicious circumstances.

The first cat belonged to Simon Lewis and was found in Peterchurch with burns to its mouth before the pet later died.

This came a week before one of Mandi Aston’s cats was found dead outside her home in the same street, Closure Place, on November 28 and then another of her pet cats was found dead on Tuesday of last week.

Ms Aston said she has been forced to take action.

She added: “I had two other cats and feel my cats have been targeted. So I rehomed my other two cats with a family member.

“I couldn’t keep them inside as they would be climbing the walls.”

Her two cats, Barney and Angel, were both found dead outside her home and she believes they were drowned.

She said: “Barney was placed on the windscreen of my car. At first I thought he was asleep.”

Ms Aston added that Angel was discovered on a bench outside her home and had a wet head.

She said: “I took her to a vets for an autopsy who said there were no breaks so it wasn’t a car traffic accident and there were no signs of poisoning but there was fluid in her left lung. I’m just devastated by what has happened.”

Mr Lewis’ cat had burns, consistent with ingesting chemicals, to the inside of her mouth.

He is offering a reward to anyone who can offer evidence which will lead to a conviction.

Mr Lewis asked witnesses to call the police on 101 with any evidence - although the reward is not being offered in connection with the police.

Mr Lewis said: “The police won’t do anything at the moment as they have no concrete evidence.”

Sasha was 11 or 12 and he said it was a blow for him. He said: “She was the last thing I had left of my mum. I took her on last year when my mum passed away.

“For a little village like Peterchurch, you wouldn’t expect it to happen. Everyone is keeping their cats in at the moment.”

PC Roger Bradley from the Golden Valley Safer Neighbourhood Team said: “Local police have made enquiries into the reports but at this time cannot establish anything criminal.”

All three deaths have been reported to the RSPCA.