CATS are licking themselves to death after being deliberately sprayed with anti-freeze say distraught pet owners.

Police are now investigating at least two suspected killings thought to be caused by the toxic fluid being squirted onto the animals, who then poison themselves by grooming their fur.

Paul and Claire Gerard of Lynden Avenue, Windhill, noticed their five-year-old black cat, Malli, behaving strangely earlier this month.

“Our cat was out of sorts and not eating and we took him to the vets on Wednesday, July 13, and it was confirmed he had anti-freeze poisoning and had to be put to sleep with fees of £140,” Mr Gerard said.

“After talking with a neighbour, who’s cat had also died suddenly from the same thing, we think they are being squirted with anti-freeze so they lick it off.

“This was consistent with our cat once coming in wet and smelling strange. Myself and my kids all were touching the cat and getting this on our hands not knowing what it was.

“I believe it to be the clear type of anti-freeze.

“It’s just unbelievable that anyone could be so cruel.”

Neighbours Sharon Cooper and Mick Purvis also lost their black cat, Marmite, in the same way days earlier,

“Marmite staggered in one morning and just went to sleep, he was seriously ill," said Miss Cooper.

“We took him to the vets who put him on a drip, but he didn’t come to and passed away.

“They said it was anti-freeze that had crystallized on his kidneys.”

Another two cats in the same street have died recently in suspiciously similar circumstances, said Neighbourhood Watch member Jean Blackman.

“This is a lovely street and we all watch out for each other, I look after people’s cats while they are away and this is just awful," she added.

“We think someone’s got a super-soaker water pistol loaded with anti-freeze. It’s wicked.

“When Paul’s cat died it was dreadful, his children were just cried and cried,” she said.

A spokesman for Shipley Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “It has recently come to light that at least two cats in the Windhill area of Shipley have been poisoned.

“Both incidents have occurred this month, the cause of death as confirmed by a vet is ingestion of anti- freeze fluid.