Fears of serial cat killer in Waikato

Investigations are under way into the deaths of up to 12 cats in Cambridge, possible victims of a serial cat killer.

At least one of the cats was deliberately poisoned with anti-freeze, and up to 11 others have died in Elizabeth Street recently, the Waikato Times reported.

Waikato SPCA chief executive Liz Hunter said poisoning by anti-freeze was a dreadful way to die and she was "enraged" at the possibility that someone was purposely killing cats.

The SPCA has launched an investigation and police have been made aware of the deaths.

Cat owner Kelly Wilcock said she was disgusted anyone could be so cruel to kill her pet with anti-freeze.

Her six-year-old cat Zippy was put down last week after ingesting the poison. He suffered kidney failure caused by the anti-freeze. He was depressed, lethargic and drinking excessive amounts of water leading up to his death.

Ms Wilcock had distributed fliers in the area and was determined to stop what she called animal cruelty.

- NZPA