PET owners believe a cruel prankster could be behind the sudden deaths of dozens of their cats and dogs.

Distraught pet owners from Leyland have watched their animal companions suffer agonising deaths, apparently brought on after they came into contact with rat poison.

Animal lover Jane Lewis watched her cat, Henrietta, deteriorated rapidly one night last week after the nine-year-old feline had spent the evening outside her home in Moss Side Way, Leyland.

An autopsy carried out by a Chorley vet revealed that Henrietta had died from rat poisoning.

Since her pet's death, Jane has spoken to other local residents, many of who have had similar experiences - and lost their prized pets as well.

Jane, who has placed posters in the Moss Side area warning people about what is happening, said: "I came out of my bedroom at about 2am and saw Henrietta lying on the landing. She was obviously in distress so I picked her up and took her downstairs so I could call the vet.

"By the time I had got downstairs she had died in my arms. It was very upsetting."

She added: "When I went to the vets I was horrified to discover rat poison had been the cause."

South Ribble Borough Council say they don't use poison-based products in open spaces - leaving bereaved locals fearing that warped jokers are deliberately laying out the rat bait.

One of Jane's three dogs has also been infected by the poison. Fortunately its illness - a bacterial infection of the bladder brought on by the poison - is treatable with a course of antibiotics.

Jane added: "My other cat, Tammy, is now staying inside. To think somebody could be doing this on purpose makes me physically sick.

"I think the public needs to know what is going on so it doesn't happen to anyone else's cats.

"To watch your pet die that is one of the worst experiences you can go through."

Insp Kathy Mayberry from the RSPCA said she was investigating.

She said: "It is hard to say what has happened because cats can roam so far and wide.

"It is possible that it was just an accident."

Karen Ratcliffe, South Ribble Borough Council's spokesman, said the council had not used rat poison in the area.

She said: "The type of poison we use is chronic poison, which means it takes several doses before the animal dies.

"Rat poison can be bought over the counter and should be used with the greatest of care."

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