WANTED - a Blackpool cat poisoner - £1,000 reward.

That is the message going out this week on posters and 1,000 leaflets all over North Fylde after a spate of poisoned pets died in agony.

Five cats have succumbed to the mystery moggy-hater so far this month, but vets have been unable to identify the poison or how it is being used.

The £1,000 reward - for information leading to a conviction - is being put up by the Blackpool Cats Protection League and Wyre Animal Welfare, who warn that small children or dogs could also fall victim to the poisoner.

Trevor Burns, of the Cats Protection League, said: "We know of five cats which were poisoned in North Shore, and now we're getting reports of cats going missing in the same area, which sounds ominous.

"The cats show symptoms of extreme distress, foaming at the mouth and going into fits, it's extremely upsetting for the owners. "Any animal affected needs to be taken to a vet as quickly as possible.

"We've no idea why this is being done or what is being used, but we hope the reward will prompt someone to come forward."

Edie Evans, a founder member of Wyre Animal Welfare, said: "My son has a number of flats and we first came across this when two of our tenants reported their cats had been poisoned.

"Then we found out about others in the Egerton Road and Clifford Road area.

"We think someone has been putting poisoned food out. "Someone rang me to say they'd seen biscuits put out on the doorsteps of cat owners.

"It must be somebody with a grudge against cats.

"We'd like to hear from anyone who can bring us a sample of any suspect food so that we can have it analysed."

She would also like to hear from anyone whose cat falls victim to the poisoning within 24 hours of the animal's death so that they can have an autopsy carried out.

Contact Wyre Animal Welfare on (01253) 875150/ 859705, or the Cat Protection League on (01253) 824980.

The groups are warning owners to be vigilant and keep their pets in at night.

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