Pembroke stray cats poisoned

A family living in Pembroke watched five cats they used to feed in their garden die "an excruciatingly painful death" after being poisoned.

"A mother and her four kittens had to endure indescribable pain and suffering. Why should anybody put them through such agony?

"I never received any complaints that these cats were being a nuisance and I have no clue as to who the culprit may be," the woman said.

The family, who did not wish to be named for fear that their own pets would also be poisoned, said this was not the first time that the stray cats they used to feed were poisoned.

The first incident happened about six weeks ago, when the family took pity on three young cats and started to feed them in the garden.

"One morning, I saw the cat having convulsions and I rushed it to the vet who told me it had probably been given slug pellets. Eventually all three died from poisoning," she said.

The family had to relive the trauma when all the five felines started convulsing violently and died within hours of each other on Sunday.

Association for Abandoned Animals spokesman Alfred Fenech, who was called by the family before the cats died, said he had been kept busier than in previous years.

"Cases of cruelty to animals and people abandoning their pets are on the increase and many are going unreported," he said.

Mr Fenech said he was receiving at least 20 calls a day on cases involving cruelty and abandoned animals.

"Most of the abuse is going unchecked and I firmly believe that unless the offenders are made to pay a hefty fine or serve some time in jail, this sad situation will go on," he said.

"Most of the people who harm animals are completely heartless and unless they are punished in some form or other, they will never learn."

On the other hand, Mr Fenech said that the public was also becoming more aware of cases of cruelty to animals and were trying to be proactive by calling to report such cases.

Those who wish to help the association may send a donation to PO Box 60, Gzira.