A heartbroken family who lost their three cats within days of each other in an alleged animal baiting incident have issued a grim warning as pets continue to be targeted by attacks across the country.

Earlier this month, 21-year-old Emily Gardner-Hudson came home to Crestmead in Queensland to find her sister’s cat, Theodore, dead in the backyard “cat pen.” What was initially thought to be a natural death quickly became suspicious when the family’s other two cats were found “clinging for life” days later.

“My cat Cuddles was perfectly fine that morning… she was pronounced dead at 11:56 a.m. I have never seen so much blood… it was like coming out of a hose and the most traumatic thing I have ever witnessed,” Gardner-Hudson told Yahoo News, explaining that her beloved cat was bleeding from her stomach and mouth.

The third cat, Pebbles, was taken to the vet, where the family was told she had suffered neurological damage and was later euthanized to “end her suffering.”

“The feeling is still very fresh for all of us, it’s definitely not something we could ever have been prepared for … it happened so fast and (was) so horrific,” she said.

Family suspects rat poison was “thrown over their fence”

The deaths have been attributed to either rat poison or aspirin “thrown over the fence” in a plastic bag. The family are now searching for the culprit and have contacted the local council and RSPCA to inform them.

“So far we only have a suspicion as to who might have done it … but we can’t point the finger at anyone,” she said. “(The council said) there was not enough evidence, even though the vet knew about the poison and the bag was found.”

Yahoo News Australia has contacted Logan City Council regarding the alleged incident.

Giving, feeding or placing poison bait near an animal with the intent to cause harm is a criminal offence. In Queensland, offenders face a maximum fine of $48,390.

A family’s urgent warning in light of the ongoing animal hunt in Australia

In recent years, there have been numerous animal-baiting incidents across the country, many of which have resulted in death.

Several cases of poisoned intestines in Sydney parks triggered warnings from residents and veterinarians last year, and Melbourne was also rocked by allegations of animal cruelty: several dogs required urgent medical attention and a Chihuahua died last January after eating a poisonous substance.

Gardner-Hudson has urged Australians to “look after their pets”, even if the animals only live in their own backyard.

“Please keep an eye on your pets and be alert for any signs of poisoning or illness,” she said. “Our fur babies showed no signs at all, they were all healthy and perfectly happy.”

“We are shocked.”

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