A family have been left devastated after their cat was killed - one of three to have been poisoned after a bowl of anti-freeze was left in an alley.

Jemma Knight, of Berridge Road, Sheerness, returned home at around 5pm last Wednesday to find her pet Misty lying “awkwardly” in the garden.

The 29-year-old opened the door and the cat got up but her legs kept giving way and she subsequently collapsed.

“Straight away I knew something was wrong,” Miss Knight said. The panic-stricken mother-of-three rushed Misty to the PDSA pet hospital in Gillingham in a desperate attempt to save her life.

But within hours she was given the heartbreaking news the two-year-old had not made it.

It is believed she died from kidney failure and tests carried out later confirmed she had been poisoned by anti-freeze.

Misty had been part of Miss Knight’s family since she was a kitten.

Miss Knight said: “The vet said if I had kept Misty overnight, then she is sure I would have found her deceased the following morning on the floor.

“I’m so glad I took her in and I can’t thank the PDSA enough for what they do.

“I just cannot understand how someone could do this.

“My children and I are absolutely devastated.”

The full-time mother has since reported the incident to the RSPCA and police.

Swale Cats Protection posted a warning on social media on Wednesday stating it had been made aware of a bowl of blue liquid placed in a locked alleyway between Alma Road and Berridge Road before Misty fell ill.

Sheppey RSPCA has also confirmed two other cats were poisoned in Delamark Road, Sheerness.

Both were taken to the PDSA, but one died and the other was in a critical condition.

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: “We are always very concerned to hear about poisoning in pets, and would urge anyone with any information relating to poisoning to contact us on 0300 1234 999.

“It is always difficult to determine if cases are accidental incidents or deliberate. However, poisoning an animal deliberately is a criminal offence.

“Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, the maximum penalty for those found guilty is up to six months imprisonment and/or a fine of up to £20,000.”