A POLICE investigation has been launched after the death of two cats which may have been poisoned.

Julie Walker, of Lepp Crescent, Bury, has been left heartbroken after Simba, aged 12, and Willow, aged six, died within days of each other.

Armac Veterinary Group, at The Rock, confirmed that test results on the cats were unusual and contained poison.

Miss Walker, aged 43, a clerical assistant at Fairfield Hospital, Bury, said: “When Simba came in he started moving his head really strangely and shaking. I thought he was having a fit. He couldn’t walk, he looked drunk. He had been sick all over the house. He had a little cut on his head and the vet thought he was concussed. But he just deteriorated over the next few hours and couldn’t stand up.”

He was put down on May 26.

Miss Walker put his death down to his kidneys failing because of his age but days later her cat Willow became ill.

“She wouldn’t eat then she started being sick and walking strangely.”

Vets put her down on May 31 and Miss Walker, who has five other cats, contacted the police.

She said: “For it to happen twice to two cats in the same house was too much of a coincidence.

“I really don’t know why someone would do this to a defenceless animal. I can’t understand it unless it is aimed at me but I don’t know why they would. I haven’t had an argument with anyone “I am just numb — I have never cried so much. I think whoever did this is sick.”

A police spokesman said they were investigating. He said vets confirmed test results on the cats showed they had been poisoned.

He said: “The police abhor any cruelty to animals.”