A distraught Somerset woman has had to have her cat put down after he was poisoned with antifreeze.

Phillipa Warton-Browne, from Bridgwater, rushed her two-year-old ginger tom cat Fudge to the vets when he became unwell after eating chicken which appeared to be laced in antifreeze.

Phillipa spotted Fudge bringing several pieces of the cooked chicken, which were a turquoise blue colour, back to her home in Beech Drive.

She took the meat away from her cat, who seemed fine but was taken ill early the next morning.

At the vets, Fudge was put to sleep as a result of renal failure, possibly as a result of ethylene glycol poisoning - a chemical often found in antifreeze which is toxic to pets.

The RSPCA is appealing for any information to discover where Fudge may have found the chicken.

Inspector Sue Dobson said: "If the chicken was deliberately laced with antifreeze it would suggest the person responsible was trying to target an animal, even if the intended victim was not a cat.

“I would urge anyone who has any relevant information to get in touch with the RSPCA so we can prevent any more cats or other animals from suffering.”

Phillipa said: “It is awful to think that someone may have deliberately poisoned chicken to harm cats or other animals.

"It is a residential area and, as well as cats, a dog or even a child could have picked up what we think was poisoned meat.”

Phillipa is distraught at the loss of her pet, but wants to make people aware of the symptoms of antifreeze poisoning and she has distributed leaflets to her neighbours explaining what has happened and warning them what to look out for.

The first signs of ethylene glycol poisoning are vomiting, appearing depressed, sleepy, drunk or uncoordinated, seizures, difficulty breathing, increased thirst, and increased urination. It eventually causes kidney failure.

Anyone found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal could face a maximum six-month prison sentence and/or a £20,000 fine under the Animal Welfare Act.

The RSPCA has also received details of another cat in the area which had to be put to sleep as a result of suspected poisoning, however, it is not known how or where the cat may have come into contact with the poison.

Anyone with information regarding this incident should ring the RSPCA Cruelty and Information line on 0300 1234999 and leave a message for Inspector Sue Dobson. Calls are treated in confidence.