02:16 PM PDT on Wednesday, May 18, 2005

KING5.com Staff and Wire Reports

SPANAWAY, Wash. - A woman was arrested for investigation of poisoning a neighbor's cats in Spanaway.

Pierce County sheriff's spokesman Jerry Bates said animal control officers found evidence the 42-year-old woman might have poisoned the pets with antifreeze.

Joe Ashbaugh said he had no idea what was wrong Saturday with the family's pets - Kiki, Billy and Topper - when the started acting strangely and screaming in pain.

He rushed the cats to a veterinary clinic, where they died.

The animal welfare group, Pasado's Safe Haven, says it paid more than $1,300 for animal autopsy reports on the cats and pushed the sheriff's office to investigate.

The group says a bowl of chicken parts soaked in antifreeze was found on the woman's property.

The woman was arrested on three counts of Felony First Degree Animal Cruelty. She was released on a $30,000 bond.

Animal Cruelty in the First Degree is a Class “C” felony, punishable by up to 5 years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

Pasado's Safe Haven is encouraging animal advocates to appear at the courthouse when the woman is arraigned next week.