A FAMILY have been left devastated after a cat poisoner killed their second pet this year.

Wendy Harrison, of Ladysmith Close, Bishop Auckland, had to have her 11-year-old cat, Abby, put to sleep after it came home in distress on Monday. An investigation by a vet revealed the cat had been poisoned.

RSPCA officials believe other incidents of poisoning have occurred in the same area over the past few months and are appealing for anyone with any information to come forward.

Seven months ago, Mrs Harrison had to have her six-month-old kitten, Burberry, put down. It too had been poisoned by the substance.

"It's been very distressing," she said. "I think it's people who dislike the cats coming into their garden. I want to appeal to people's consciences. These are very much family pets. Abby had been in our family for a very long time. My nine-year-old step-daughter, Jessica, thought of the cat as hers and now we've got to tell her that she's been killed."

RSPCA inspector, Gavin Butterfield, believes the poison used would have caused the cats to suffer and said there were a number of humane methods of keeping cats out of gardens.

These include planting prickly shrubs, keeping soil damp, and scattering orange and lemon peel or eucalyptus. Mr Butterfield said a water pistol or garden hose will also deter cats.

A spokesman for Bishop Auckland police, said: "This is obviously a crime and we would like anybody who knows anything to get in contact with us."

Anybody with information is asked to call Bishop Auckland police on (01388) 603566 or the RSPCA on 0870 5555 999.