A FAMILY say they are now 'living in fear' after a fifth cat died in Southway from suspected antifreeze poisoning, writes Sophie Taylor.

The Pendall family have now lost all four of their pet cats from antifreeze poisoning in the last few days. A fifth cat, owned by a couple nearby, also died.

Louise Pendall, pictured right,from Lizard Close, had to have the last of her four pet cats, Max, put to sleep on Wednesday after it was poisoned with antifreeze.

Last Saturday Mrs Pendall was forced to have nine-year-old Henry and five-year-old Inky put to sleep after they ingested the deadly substance and suffered traumatic symptoms.

And on Sunday the family's kitten Daisy also died as a result of being poisoned.

Mrs Pendall has said she is now too scared to stay in her council home of six years and has asked to be moved.

She said: "I'm in shock – I now have no cats left. At least they can't harm anything else I suppose, they've taken everything already.

"My children are so upset, my youngest doesn't understand and keeps asking where the cats are. It's heartbreaking.

"This is a very traumatic time for all of us and our family are all rallying around to support us.

"It literally feels like we are living a nightmare, it's been the week from hell."

Not only has Mrs Pendall lost all four of her beloved cats, but she has been left with a vets' bill totalling nearly £1,000 and lost £300 in wages while dealing with the incidents.

Mrs Pendall lives with her husband, 18-year-old daughter Jade, who is due to give birth in three weeks, 15-year-old Travis, eight-year-old Samuel and four-year-old Ruby.

She said: "We have lived here now for six years, this is our home, we never thought we'd move again.

"But none of us want to live here anymore, we don't feel safe because if they can do this to innocent animals what are they going to do next?

"This whole attack on my family sickens me to the pit of my stomach – it's just horrific."

Chris and Helen Crocker, who live in the same street as the Pendall family, also lost their four-year-old cat Sasha this week after it, too, had been poisoned.

Police are now investigating and asking anyone with information to contact them.

PCSO Tracy Cunningham, for the Southway area, said: "We have had high visibility patrols in the area for the past few days and are desperate for information to find out exactly how this happened.

"It's a serious offence. If people are willing to do this to animals, then what else are they capable of?

"We are working hard to get to the bottom of the matter and urge anyone who knows anything, no matter how small or insignificant they think it is, to come forward – it may be of great help so please call us."

Anyone with information is asked to call the police on 101 quoting crime reference number EL/12/810.