THE RSPCA has condemned the callous poisoning of pets after three cats and one dog were left to suffer a long and agonising death.

RSPCA inspector Gavin Butterfield warned that he would be pressing for the maximum penalty of a £5,000 fine or six months in prison should the culprit be caught.

The incidents in Bishop Auckland follow similar cases where eight cats had been either poisoned or disappeared mysteriously in nearby Evenwood.

Mr Butterfield said: "There has been alarming numbers of cases where pets have been poisoned in recent weeks and I have no idea why.

"It is a cowardly way to get rid of what people might see as a problem or threat to their livestock.''

He was speaking after 26-year-old Emma Giles took her two beloved pet cats to Wilson Veterinary Group Surgery in Tenter Street, Bishop Auckland after they had been poisoned with anti-freeze.

Vet Paul Wilson said: "It really is an horrendous death. If a cat has had anti-freeze it will appear drunk and initially disorientated.

"People should look out for meat being put out or cat food that they know they haven't put down and should either throw it out immediately or keep it as evidence.''

Miss Giles, from Tivoli Place, Cockton Hill, said she has been left devastated and her last remaining cat Casper is now desperately pining for his playmates.

She said she regularly let her cats, Marti, Oscar, and Casper out during the afternoon but when they failed to come home before she went to work on Thursday evening she had to leave them.

She said: "They came back on Friday morning and they seemed fine so I went to bed. But when I woke up Marti and Oscar couldn't walk - they were falling over all the time.''

Miss Giles took the cats to the vets where they were put on drips but when their condition deteriorated she was told they had been poisoned with anti-freeze.

She said: "Apparently it does something to their kidneys. One died and the other was put down.

"I think this is an evil and cruel thing to do because they really must have suffered. I was told there was another cat from the next street that had also died. I would definitely encourage people not to let their cats out. Casper is never going out again. I am not going to lose him as well.''

The RSPCA has appealed for anyone with information to telephone 08705 555999.