A HELLIFIELD woman is starting a petition to try and stop cat deaths from suspected anti-freeze poisoning.

Angie Pedley, a member of local group Craven Countrywatch, is to petition the government asking them to instruct manufacturers to include an additive in anti-freeze to stop animals being attracted to it.

The call is being made after a number of cats died in Hellifield last year with symptoms linked to the poisoning.

She said: “Since April 2018 we know of six cats which have died, we think from antifreeze poisoning - one in Lancashire Yorkshire Terrace in July, one in Drovers Walk in early January this year and four in Temperance Square belonging to Janet Hall.

“All the cats had identical symptoms, obviously poorly, staggering and wobbly as if drunk and eyes looking very strange.”

Ms Pedley said the cats were taken to a local vets who suspected anti-freeze (Ethylene Glycol ) poisoning and were put to sleep.

Mrs Hall alone faced a vet’s bills of more than £1,000. A GoFundMe page was set up to help towards the cost and raised £100.

MS Pedley added: “I am looking into a petition to ask the government to require manufacturers of antifreeze to add a ‘bittering’ agent which makes the stuff unattractive to cats and wildlife. Some states in the USA have already passed laws on this.

“Our government rejected a petition last October saying it is not government’s responsibility so I am writing to MPs who I know are active in animal welfare to ask them for support and help in progressing this idea.”

The Craven Countrywatch group is wanting to raise awareness of the danger associated with anti-freeze and let everyone who has a cat knos what has been happening.

They are asking people to look out for anything unusual in gardens or walkways which might be the source of this poisoning. Although antifreeze is very toxic to cats it also harms wildlife and birds and would also be harmful to dogs if they ingested it.

Ms Pedley added: “We put some posters round Hellifield in October and all of these have been taken down.”

She said they are going to speak to nearby neighbours and talk to them about what has happened and ask if anyone knows anything which might shed light on the incidents.

“We will also leaflet the immediate area asking people to report any incidents to the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999, she added.

The deaths have been reported to North Yorkshire Police who have confirmed the reports.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the police on 101 with incident number 12180240468.