DISTRAUGHT animal lovers have branded Old Hill the "purr-muda triangle" because so many cats are going missing.

Cats have been reportedly poisoned with anti-freeze liquid, kidnapped and killed and owners have been warned to be vigilant.

One heartbroken owner is so desperate to get her Bengal cross back she set up a Bring Back Roo Facebook page only to be inundated with similar stories.

Kate Antill said: "I did not know how many cats had gone missing in Old Hill until my Roo vanished.

"I understand why people call Old Hill the "purr-muda triangle" because of how many cats have either gone missing or found dead."

Mrs Antill believes cat owners face the double trouble of their moggies either being killed or stolen.

She said: "I am sure Roo has been lured into someone's house to be their pet, and I have reported the crime to the police."

"I've stopped fostering cats, I lost my own cat and can not face losing a foster cat too, charities locally who doing their best to look after mistreated animals."

Cradley based animal rescue charity Wild Acre is struggling to cope with the amount of abused cats.

Founder Angela Gelencser, who cares for over 80 cats, said: "What is happening to cats in Old Hill is awful.

"My cat Bramble just disappeared off the face of the earth, I've never seen her again, and it makes me wonder what could have happened."

She added:"Spiteful people who hate cats using their gardens poison them and mistreat them, they are living creatures and need to be respected."

"Anti-freeze tastes sweet to cats but once they drink it they die a horrible death, nothing can be done once we know one has been poisoned.

"I urge all cat owners to get their pet neutered and microchipped as that also acts as proof of ownership."

Cradley Heath and Old Hill Councillor John Tipper is disturbed by the spate of missing cats.

He said: "A number of people have mentioned this problem to me in Old Hill and as a cat lover myself I find it both bizarre and disturbing.

"Owners should be vigilant and I urge anybody affected to report this matter to the police, as any kind of animal cruelty is a serious offence and in the meantime I hope as many of the owners can be reunited with their much loved pets."

For more information about Wild Acre visit www.wildacrerescue.co.uk.