Update on Becketts *killer*

Hi All,

It was only a matter of time before I was given a name, I was last Saturday, and they were on my suspect list anyway. Beckett wasn't targetted as such, but this person has seemingly admitted putting antifreeze down for any cats that trespass on their garden, and the timing was right for when Beckett was poisoned.

As I'd had a few beers, 99% of me wanted to go straight round and kick their teeth in, I was absolutely livid. Thankfully, I didn't, common sense got the better of me, without actual proof it's almost certain they'd deny it to my face.

I let it be known locally that I suspect they were responsible, knowing full well it would get back to them, and that if anything happens to Fudge or Bola that isn't 100% natural or a provable accident, I'd hold them responsible and would take action then. I've said nothing here as I've been waiting to hear from them, and a week has gone by, so I'm assuming they've been told by now, and if they have and are innocent, surely they would have said so, but not a word so far.

Hopefully the threat will persuade them not to put antifreeze down again.

Ian

Bastard. But you are right not to take action this time as it would be linked stright back to you and as you say, without concrete evidence, there is only you that could get into trouble.

I wonder if its worth giving the RSPCA a call, as surely this person is putting animals at risk and the RSPCA can with the police search this persons house/garage? I'm just saying this as although most folk have antifreeze in their garages, if they are putting it down for the cats, I'm assuming they are putting it in containers? And there is no reason someone would pour antifreeze into containers/bowls other than for malicious purposes and there would be trace evidence in the containers of the anti-freeze?

At the very least, a visit from the RSPCA would hit the message home that they can get into trouble for this and also it proves to them that people who care about animals know, rather than just word of mouth alone.

Hi Helen,

Contacting the RSPCA had crossed my mind, but again, without proof there'd be little or nothing they can do, if they were interested at all. I wouldn't want to give my name, so would they act on a anonymous tip? They may well be innocent, I've only got the word of someone else to go on that they deliberately put antifreeze down, and tbh, the person who told me isn't the most reliable person in the world.

Ian

I'm sure they would go on an anonymous tip. My sister has reported someone before on hearsay for abuse and as it was not a nice (to put it mildly) person involved it was all kept confidential.. But, it turned out the person who gave her the info was setting her up and told the 'abusers' it was her. So, as long as you trust the person who gave you the name, hasn't done it to be malicious to you or them and has done it a 'good samariatan' then it'll do no harm reporting. At the end of the day, if it isn't this person, they won't get into trouble, and if it is, it'll act as an extra warning.

Just a quick search, brought up this article, in which it shows the RSPCA take poisoning seriously.. http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/news/wales-news/2008/06/04/cats-poisoned-by-antifreeze-91466-21019770/

And here is info from their website:
http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RSPCA/RSPCARedirect&pg=FAQs&articleId=1000914078326&topic=1112958900016&subtopic=1112958900098&previousPage=1114778749280#1000914078326

Oh Ian... I don't know what to say...

I'm so fuming! The suspicions have gotten more ground... now the anger is flaring up again! How people can do such a thing is beyond my imagination.

At the same time... and this will propbably just sound ackward... but I'm feeling some sort of relief... don't get me wrong, there's no relief whatsoever that some bastard is poisioning kitties, and little Beckett and heaven knows how many others paased on or got ill from it... but you now have some more information. Hopefully by you spreading the word that actions will be taken if anything happens in the future will deter them from ever doing such a terrible act again... but if you do ever suspect anything to be going on, you know who to report to the RSPCA!

(((((hugs)))))

Hi Helen,

Thanks for the links, at least it shows the RSPCA take this sort of thing seriously.

As for my letting them know of my suspicions, the fact that I've let it be known locally that I suspect this person, means that any tip-off to the RSPCA, even anonymously, would point the finger at me, and there's just a chance they might not have done it.

Add the fact that even the vets weren't 100% sure it was antifreeze pioisoning with Beckett, they were only 'as sure as they could be' means I don't have any actual proof.

Hi pokbg,

If you're angry, you should have seen me when I got home after being told. I don't recall ever being so angry about anything.

I'm hoping the fact that I've let it be known locally of my suspicions will be enough to stop them doing it again, at least I hope so.

Ian

God, Ian, you must be pulling your hair out. The temptation to push dog poo through their letterbox must be HUGE. What absolute (I really really want to swear) arses.

But like you say, you aren't 100% sure so taking action is risky. Kidney failure is one of those things that generally affects older cats but that's not to say a young one couldn't come down with it. It just seems so suspicious, especially when you've been given a tip off. The concern about not telling the RSPCA is that the person might do it again. What an awful situation to be in for you.

Oh Ian I've only just read this, and how I feel for you. To be so close to an absolute evil bastard must be so awful for you, not to mention how frustrted you must feel. I can never get my head round how so many people can be so callous towards others, human or animal. You say your *source* isn't very reliable but this source must know something, not a lot of people are aware that antifreeze is lethal to cats, so maybe this person is closer to the source than you realise. The word *antifreeze* must have been mentioned at some point. Oh am fuming, poor Beckett, and how many others?? to suffer and have their life cut short because of some stupid, ignorant waste of time.

Hi Kath,

I'm not being unkind when I say my source is a village idiot, he is, and they are highly unlikely to have made it up, so there must be something in what he told me. That said, it'd be all too easy for a person to deny something on his say so because he 'isn't all there'.............A Catch 22 situation.

Ian

Oh Ian, I cant imagine how furious you must have felt when you first found out. Im glad you didnt let the beer get a grip of you, and make you do something you regretted - am sure not everyone would have been as strong as you.
I am gutted to read this, poor Beckett, but atleast you (pretty much) know now.
Very upsetting though.

Ian i'm so sorry to read this post (and i apologise for not noticing this thread earlier, it just caught my eye now as i was flicking back through some pages).

I cannot imagine how livid you must have felt to have found out that information, i would be in pieces if i suspected anyone was cruel enough to harm any of my cats. It makes me so unbelieveably sad that anyone could think they have the right to do that to innocent unsuspecting animals, i can think of a few choice words i'd like to use right now.

Ian i respect you for keeping your temper, that must have taken great strength. Just the thought that someone's cruelty could have cost sweet Beckett his life makes my blood boil. How do people like that sleep at night?

Hi Ceri,

If my info was correct, they somehow sleep easily at nights as the person openly detests cats

What is bothering me in particular now, is that having not seen Bolas mum for a few days, I'm starting to wonder if she's been poisoned as well. She does live near this individuals house, and most likely passes thro' their garden on her travels.

Add on the suspicion that she too had been poisoned at the same time as Beckett, she appeared 'drunk' (a classic symptom of antifreeze poisoning) in my garden not long after Beckett was first ill, but soon recovered, and I'm starting to think the worst about my not seeing her.

Ian

Oh no Ian. I hope to god thats not the reason why she isnt around. I feel physically sick just thinking about it. You must be feeling anxious to say the least.

Ian i really hope that isn't the case with Bola's mum, but as you say it is a very real possibility, particularly as she's maybe been tempted by the antifreeze before. Oh i do hope you see her soon and know she's alright, such an immense worry.

OMG! My sadness for Bolas mum, is slightly suppressed by my anger towards this individual! I sincerly hope she hasn't succumbed to his poison and that she's just laying low somewhere else for a bit, but, it does seem awfully suspicious! If this man hates cats so much, why can't he use more humane methods, like lemon peel, sprinkler system etc. to keep them out his garden! He is an evil bastard.

Am speechless, what can I say, to have someone so eveil living so close to you, you must be worried sick about the rest of your cats Ian. What I find hard to stomach is the fact that like this person, just seem to be able to get away with it. I so hope Bolas mum has wandered off somewhere else for a while and hasn't suffered the same fate as Beckett.

Hi All,

Bolas mum is ok, she turned up safe and sound yesterday If you haven't already seen it, I posted about it in the *missing visitors* thread.

Ian

this makes my blood boil,how could anyone hurt a living feeling pet, it beggers belief.be strong hun and go with your instincts, i strongly believe in karma and if you don't take it further,he'll get his just deserts at some point. think your being remarkably sensible and not rushing in, especially with so many emotions running aroundxxxxxxx

Thank god Bola's mum is ok, what a vile man he is i hope he comes back as a cat in another life!