TWO families are looking for answers after their cats suddenly became ill and died.

Both cats lived in the Fell Croft area of Dalton, just four houses apart – and one owner says they are not the only animals to die in the area.

Lisa Barr left work yesterday evening to bury her beloved cat Harley.

She said: “Stressful doesn’t even cover it. I hope it’s just coincidence but it's a bit suspicious. Our poor babies. It was awful.

“A rabbit died on our street last night (Sunday) as well. No idea how or why though... just another coincidence?”

“My cat was a little off on Thursday but nothing to say that he was really poorly. I’d gone away and my daughter was keeping an eye on him but again nothing to say he was anything other than a bit off his food.

“Then Sunday he just literally went downhill fast and died in my arms. It was that quick.”

Lisa’s neighbour Louise Freestone, whose cat Rascal suffered the same fate, said: “Rascal was with me Friday afternoon having cuddles – went out Friday and I never saw him again until yesterday (Sunday) when Lisa came round to say they had found him in her dad’s garden.”

After posting a warning on social media in a bid to prevent other animals in the area from becoming ill, members of the public suggested their deaths could have been caused by weed killer, antifreeze or bad food.

Lisa’s daughter Poppy Howath said: “We aren’t sure what’s happened, but we found our neighbour's cat in my grandad's drain. It was perfectly healthy before then. My mum's cat started going downhill and died the same night. Somebody mentioned it could be weed killer, but we just aren’t sure."

Lisa’s other daughter Robin Howath warned people to remain vigilant. “We just want people to be vigilant on their pets if they are acting of character or seem unwell then please get them checked," she said.

“We think both cats might have been poisoned by eating something they shouldn’t or someone has fed them something that’s poisoned them, but please be careful in the Fell Croft area.”