A Fife cat owner fears his pet was deliberately targeted after it had to be treated for rat poisoning.
Kennoway resident Sean Finlay, 29, believes poison was left out on purpose after wee Nala ingested a large amount of anticuagulant rodenticide, a substance that kills rats and mice by preventing the blood from clotting.
Nala is now on the mend after being treated by Wilson and Partners veterinary practice in Cupar.
And Sean said the poison could have posed a risk to more than animals.
“It could have landed a kid in hospital because there are plenty of kids around here who play,” said the dad of two.
Sean said the first indication that something was wrong was when he found some green powder outside his house.
“A few days later, my next door neighbour came to the door with a packet in his hand with some green stuff inside it.”
Sean said Nala became ill and passed what appeared to be the green-coloured poison “a good three days” after the packet was found in the garden.
“She started passing blood and then obviously we got a bit concerned, but we got her to the vet’s in time.
“Inside the cat box it was pure green so we were able to tell she’s digested this stuff.
“The vet said it wouldn’t take that long to pass through. Obviously she’s come back into contact with it again.
“Whatever she’s come into contact with, there’s more than one bag of it lying around. That’s what makes me think somebody is maliciously trying to do this.
“The fact it’s happened twice makes me think it’s not an accident.”
Animal welfare charity Scottish SPCA has urged anyone with information about the alleged poisoning to get in touch.
Scottish SPCA inspector Robyn Gray said: “The vet was able to confirm that the cat had become ill from ingesting a toxic substance.
“Nala’s owner found a packet of rat poison in a neighbour’s garden, which they suspect is the poison Nala had eaten. Unfortunately, neither they or the neighbour know where the packet came from.
“The owner said days previously they found a similar powder in their garden.
“We would like to find out what happened and whether this was a deliberate attempt to harm, or kill, an animal.
“All legal poisons are supplied with strict guidelines for use and anyone who sets a poison without following the guidelines is committing an offence. Rat poisons should be placed so that no non-target species can access the substance and must be stored safely and securely.”
Anyone with information is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA’s confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
