RSPCA officers are investigating after two cats were poisoned to death in Trefin last week.

A local resident, who did not want to be named, rushed her 12 year-old female cat Willow to the vets in Haverfordwest on Tuesday after she became seriously ill but there was nothing that the vets could do and the loved pet had to be put to sleep.

The following day the woman's six-year-old male cat Barney also became unwell, and he too could not be saved.

The vet told her both had suffered from kidney failure.

A substance such as antifreeze is suspected to be behind the poisonings.

The woman said: "What happened has completely devastated my family. To see both of them suffering and not being able to do anything about it was awful, but the kindest thing to do was to let them go to sleep."

She added: "It was better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all."

RSPCA spokesman Gethin Russell Jones said: "We are very concerned about these poisonings and we urgently need more information. There may be an innocent explanation but we are concerned that someone is deliberately causing suffering to cats in the locality.

"Owners should be vigilant and contact a vet immediately if they suspect that their pet may have been in contact with the chemical or if they see any warning signs or symptoms. The sooner the animal is treated, the better their chances of surviving."

Anyone caught deliberately trying to poison an animal with a harmful substance such as antifreeze could face a £20,000 fine and/or six months in prison under the Animal Welfare Act.

If anyone has any information about the poisonings in Trefin or any related incidents in Pembrokeshire, they are urged to contact the RSPCA cruelty and information line on 0300 1234 999.