An elderly man has been left "terrified" whenever his cat goes out after he discovers what he suspects is poison in his front garden. Leslie Ward, 75 who lives with partner Patricia, 78, said he found a mysterious brown powder scattered in his front garden last week.
The bricklayer said he made the discovery after he received a threat saying "something tragic" would happen to beloved pet Mr Tom. Speaking to GrimsbyLive, Leslie said: "The garden was covered in brown powder, so this person is seriously wanting to do harm to my cat and other animals passing through. It's worrying because there's also foxes and hedgehogs around.
"I've rung the RSPCA and they've said it is illegal to put poison down, that it's got to be segregated from wildlife or other animals, and that cats have got the right to roam. Unfortunately we can't follow Mr Tom about with a small scoop."
To raise awareness of the issue, Leslie has now installed a sign outside his Laceby home. It reads: "Please be aware that unauthorised poisons have been used in the local vicinity. Dog walkers and pet owners be vigilant."
He said the situation has left him and partner Patricia "terrified" whenever Mr Tom goes outdoors at night - but said they cannot keep him indoors and have no choice but to let him out.
"We've been told to keep him in, but he likes to roam at night. I'm terrified whenever he goes out, he's such an awkward cat and he wants to go out. If I don't get up to let him out he rips the bed to pieces. He's out all night and we have to get up at 6am to let him in," he said.
Leslie and Patricia have had Mr Tom for eight years after he began visiting them at their old house on Gibraltar Lane after their cat Lucy passed away. Leslie added: "Mr Tom replaced Lucy. We're not sure how old he is, he came to us through the garden when we lived on Gibraltar Lane.
"We put photos up of him in the newsagents and on social media but never found his owner. Nobody wanted this fat cat of ours. He's so spoilt, this cat, you wouldn't believe."
For information on common cat poisons and what to do if you believe your cat has been poisoned, click here.
