Page 28 - Intra Muros October Issue 2025

ESTATE NEWS

W ARNING:
WARNING:

CAT POISONINGS IN OUR ESTATE

By Inge De Klerk

t is with deep concern that we report on The veterinarian who treated the cats Why Aldicarb is so deadly
recent and very unfortunate incidents confirmed that the poison used was Two- Once swallowed, Aldicarb interferes with the
Iof cat poisoning in our beautiful estate. Step, a banned substance containing animal’s nervous system. This causes muscles
These cases occurred in Castle Pine Street Temic (Aldicarb). to seize up, breathing to fail and eventually
(four cats affected) and Frost Close (one cat causes death. The poison works extremely
affected). What is Aldicarb? fast, sometimes within minutes. For pets, it
Aldicarb is a highly toxic pesticide that is an agonising death involving convulsions,
Two of the Castle Pine cats were neutered has long been prohibited for domestic paralysis and suffocation.
ferals, lovingly cared for by a resident. use in South Africa. Unfortunately, it
A third, Jackson, a beautiful domestic is still sold on the black market (ie sold Symptoms of Aldicarb poisoning in pets
cat, narrowly survived thanks to quick illegally) under names such as Two-Step. If you notice any of the following, act
intervention. The fourth, a black cat, could immediately:
not be traced to an owner. Sadly, the cat • Appearance: Aldicarb usually looks • Excessive salivation and drooling
from Frost Close also passed away, despite like small, dark grey to black granules • Muscle tremors or twitching
immediate action by its family. resembling poppy seeds. • Difficulty breathing/gasping
• How it is used: Criminals mix it into • Vomiting or diarrhoea (sometimes with
That such an act of cruelty could occur food (meat, bread, milk) and leave blood)
in an upmarket, family-oriented estate it where unsuspecting animals will • Convulsions or collapse
like ours is shocking and heartbreaking. ingest it. • Unresponsiveness

26 | INTRAMUROS OCTOBER 2025