‘Very unusual’ cat deaths in Scotland spark fears of pet killer

Animal charity says pets could have been poisoned either accidentally or deliberately

A number of cats centred around a small area in Biggar have been killed in recent months (Google Maps)

Five cats have died and another two have disappeared in a small town in Scotland, sparking an investigation.

The cases occurred over a three-month period and almost all are centred on Elphinstone Crescent in Biggar, South Lanarkshire.

The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SSPCA) launched an investigation after a concerned resident contacted the charity last week following the latest death on 15 June.

Three of the cats that died were involved in road traffic incidents, and the SSPCA said it “might be that there is a substance somewhere local that is causing the cats to be poisoned or become confused which has caused them to wander on to the road”. The causes of the other deaths were considered inconclusive following a post-mortem examination.

Four of the dead cats lived at homes in Elphinstone Crescent and the other was regularly seen on the road. One of the missing cats is also from the street, while the other is from elsewhere in Biggar, which has a population of little more than 2,000.

Investigators said the could have been a “deliberate attempt to harm or kill these cats,” although they added the deaths could also have been caused accidentally.

Inspector Dawn Robertson said: “This has been an incredibly upsetting and stressful time for the owners of the cats and we would like to get to the bottom of what has happened.

“It is very unusual to have five cats pass away and two be missing over such a short space of time.

“The most recent deceased cat was discovered only this morning.”

She added: “It might be that there is a substance somewhere local that is causing the cats to be poisoned or become confused which has caused them to wander on to the road.

“We would urge everyone to be vigilant with their disposal of any toxic substance, such as anti-freeze, that can be poisonous to cats and other animals.

“It is essential that everyone stores substances out of reach.

“Alternatively, and we hope this is not the case, this could be a deliberate attempt to harm or kill these cats.

“Anyone using any method to cause injury on purpose is committing an offence and is punishable by law.”

The SSPCA urged anyone with any information to contact its confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.

In 2018, police in London closed a three-year probe into the so-called Croydon cat killer after determining many of the hundreds of pet deaths it had investigated were probably caused by foxes.