CAT owners are being urged to keep their pets indoors amid fears two Barrhead moggies have been killed with antifreeze.

It’s believed both pets were poisoned deliberately in the Crossmill area.

The felines are said to have died within weeks of each other with the most recent happening last week.

Bosses at the Giffnock branch of the Cats Protection charity say the pet’s owner has been left “devastated.”

The first incident is said to have taken place near the Dovecot- hall roundabout earlier this month.

Karen Minnery, branch co-ordinator for Cats Protection, said: “We are advising that cats in the area be kept inside, as it may not be safe for them.

“We don’t know who is doing this but IIt is becoming quite worrying this has happened again and it looks as though it could be deliberate.”

Some cats are said to be attracted  to antifreeze due to its “sweet” taste but the substance can cause kidney damage.

Pets may not show signs of illness for a day or two after ingesting the substance.

Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn, of the Scottish SPCA, said: “The poisoning of domestic animals is a huge issue and we deal with a large number of complaints about poisonings but they are incredibly difficult to solve due to the nature of the crime.

“Antifreeze is one of the most common causes of cat poisoning. The liquid is usually colourless and odourless but has a sweet taste that appeals to dogs in particular,  but cats will also  ingest it.”