Multiple pet owners in the area say they have reported cases to their local vets, including Towy Vets, Merlin Vets and Alpha Vets, also known as Haven Vets, as well as to Dyfed-Powys Police, the RSPCA and Carmarthenshire County Council. Despite those reports, residents say no one has yet been held to account for what they believe is a deliberate campaign of animal cruelty in the heart of their community.
“This is a serious issue. It is cruelty beyond belief. Myself and my neighbours have reported this to every relevant authority we can think of, and we are still no further forward. People are living in fear for their cats.”
That account, from a Kidwelly resident who has been at the forefront of efforts to bring the poisonings to public attention, reflects the frustration of a community that feels it has done everything right and is still waiting for a meaningful response.
The Case That Put Kidwelly on the Map: Luna, July 2024
The issue first received wider public attention in the summer of 2024 when the RSPCA issued a formal warning to pet owners across the Kidwelly area following a series of suspected poisonings. The appeal came after the death of Luna, a three-year-old cat belonging to Ben McQueen, who lived in the Ger Y Gwendraeth area of Kidwelly.
Luna was brought home by neighbours on 29 July 2024 in a serious state. Her owner described the scene.
“She was as if she was drunk. She could not move or walk. She did not want to do anything or eat anything.”
Luna was taken to a vet and given treatment, but deteriorated overnight. The decision was made to put her to sleep. Ben McQueen described the impact on his family as a massive toll financially and emotionally, and said the death had left them fearful for their other cats and for the other animals in the neighbourhood.
The RSPCA confirmed at the time that Luna’s case was not isolated, and that a number of other suspected poisonings in the Kidwelly area had been reported. The charity said it was not known at that stage whether the poisonings were deliberate or accidental.
Signs to Watch For: What Vets and the RSPCA Have Said
According to guidance issued by the RSPCA at the time of the 2024 alert, signs of poisoning in cats can appear from as little as 30 minutes after an animal has ingested a toxic substance. In some cases, particularly where kidney damage is involved, symptoms may not become apparent for two to three days, by which point the prognosis can be significantly worse.
Symptoms can include loss of coordination, appearing disorientated or as though drunk, lethargy, loss of appetite, and in more severe cases collapse or fitting. The advice from vets and welfare organisations is consistent: if you suspect your cat has been poisoned, move the animal away from the area where it was found, keep it calm, and contact a vet immediately. Do not wait to see if the animal improves on its own.
Residents in Kidwelly say the vets they have consulted, including Towy Vets, Merlin Vets and Alpha Vets, have been consistent in their assessment that the cases brought to them showed signs consistent with poisoning, and that multiple practices across the area have now seen cases linked to the same community over the course of the past two years.
What the Law Says: Animal Cruelty and Poisoning
The deliberate poisoning of a cat or any other animal is a criminal offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which applies across England and Wales. The Act makes it an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to any protected animal, and carries a maximum penalty of five years imprisonment and an unlimited fine following amendments introduced under the Animal Welfare, Sentencing and Recognition of Sentience Act 2021.
The use of poison to harm animals can also engage other legislation, including provisions under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 depending on the substance used and the circumstances. Investigations into suspected deliberate animal poisoning are handled by police forces in conjunction with the RSPCA, which has its own team of inspectors and investigative capacity, though it does not hold police powers.
Any person with information about who may be responsible for poisoning animals in their area is encouraged to report it to the police on 101, to the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999, or to contact their local authority environmental health department.
Dyfed-Powys Police: Response
AWAITING RESPONSE: Carmarthenshire News Online has contacted Dyfed-Powys Police for a statement regarding the ongoing cat poisonings in Kidwelly. This section will be updated when a response is received.
RSPCA Cymru: Response
An RSPCA spokesperson said: “We are aware that two cats have tragically died following antifreeze poisoning and our thoughts are with the owners.
“It is not known at this stage if the poisonings are deliberate or accidental but anyone fearing their cat may have been poisoned should try and remain calm, move the cat away from the source and contact a vet straight away.”
Signs of poisoning can be seen anything from 30 minutes after an animal has ingested the chemical, though it can be two or three days before signs of kidney failure are seen.
The RSPCA is issuing an appeal for information as well as urging people to be responsible when storing chemicals and hazardous substances.
“Poisoning an animal on purpose is a criminal offence under the Animal Welfare Act, and we would urge anyone who has any first hand information to contact the RSPCA, in confidence, on 0300 1234 999 and quote number 1804983,” added the spokesperson.
“We’d also like to remind people to be mindful ‘for every kind’ and for motorists to be careful and ensure chemicals like antifreeze are stored securely, and leaks from cars are addressed. If you have any hazardous materials in outbuildings please make sure they are locked away. “
Carmarthenshire County Council: Response
A spokesperson for Carmarthenshire County Council said:
“The Animal Welfare Team at Carmarthenshire County Council do not deal with the welfare of companion animals. We would encourage you to approach the RSPCA or Dyfed Powys Police on this matter.”
What Kidwelly Residents Are Asking For
Residents who have spoken to Carmarthenshire News Online are not calling simply for public awareness, though they welcome it. They are calling for a proper, coordinated investigation that takes the sustained nature of the poisonings seriously, for clear public communication from the relevant authorities about what steps are being taken, and for accountability if and when a perpetrator is identified.
They also want other pet owners in Kidwelly and the surrounding area to know that if their cat is showing unusual symptoms, the cases already on record suggest the risk is real and should be treated as an emergency.
“We really hope that by getting this out to the public, something will finally be done. These are not just animals. They are members of people’s families. And this has gone on for far too long.”
If your cat or any other pet is showing signs of possible poisoning, contact your vet immediately. Do not wait.
To report a suspected case of animal cruelty or poisoning: RSPCA Cymru: 0300 1234 999 (24 hours) | Dyfed-Powys Police: 101 | In an emergency: 999.
Anyone with information about who may be responsible for cat poisonings in the Kidwelly area is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police on 101, quoting the location and nature of the incident, or to contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999. Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111
Carmarthenshire News Online, Independent News for Sir Gaerfyrddin | carmarthenshirenewsonline.com
Discover more from Carmarthenshire News Online
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
