CAT lovers in East Harnham fear a cat-hater might be in their midst, after three family pets were found dying from antifreeze poisoning.

Within the space of a few days, three cats have died in St Clair Road, and in each case, tests by veterinary surgeons have revealed they were suffering from ingestion of a chemical found in car antifreeze and in car windscreen-washer solutions.

This week, Emma Haine, who lost two of her cats to the poison, is urging cat owners in the area to be vigilant.

She told the Journal that, a few days after her two Burmese-cross cats died, a third cat a few doors away was found dead in the owner's garden.

Within the past two years, two other kittens in the same area have died from a poison, believed to be antifreeze.

Emma and her partner, Robert O'Boyle, have been left devastated by the loss of their two-year-old cat, Harvey, and his three-year-old brother, Bailey.

She said: "We found Harvey in a neighbour's garden, obviously very ill.

"We took him to the vets and tests were done that revealed his kidneys were failing and his blood contained a chemical found in antifreeze.

"The vet said we should check our other cat and we found him at home lying on a chair looking lifeless.

"As he tried to get up, he was shaky, so we took him to the vet, who diagnosed the same poison."

Both cats had to be put to sleep by the vet to save them further suffering.

Emma then heard that a neighbour's kitten had also been found dead in the garden and she decided to alert the RSPCA.

She said: "I became suspicious and thought the RSPCA should know that cats were being poisoned in this area."

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said Inspector Ken Snook was investigating the cases and appealed for anyone with information to call the society's confidential cruelty hotline, 08705 555999.

She said: "Antifreeze does taste quite sweet and there have been cases of animals being attracted to it and getting ill after sipping it.

"It is possible the deaths are accidental but to have three deaths in a few days in the same area is suspicious.

"If this is deliberate poisoning, then it is barbaric, and we shall take action."

Mary Bulgin, who also lives in East Harnham, told the Journal she has lost two kittens, who both died in the same way.

She said: "Lizzie and Tab, whom I had a year ago, only lived for ten months.

"They were friendly, loving pets."

Emma said Harvey and Bailey were always being photographed because they were an exotic breed.

She said: "They both stayed very much around the area of their home and did not wander far.

"Everyone loved them and it is unbelievable that they are no longer here."