RESIDENTS fear an animal torturer is targeting pets in Poole after a second woman says her cat was badly burned.

As reported in the Daily Echo last week, a cat belonging to a resident of Foxholes Road in Oakdale nearly died on Friday, January 13 after boiling hot water was poured over its head and back.

The article led Sarah Cutler, who also lives in the road, to come forward and speak to police after her cat Lavender suffered similar injuries in late October last year.

Sarah said: "Lavender lost the tips of her ears and all the skin from her back.

"It's just been completely awful.

"I didn't report it to the police because I believed it must have been an accident - who would want to hurt a cat?

"I had my suspicions but I'd hoped it was a freak accident."

However, when her mum saw the Daily Echo article, Sarah went to the police.

She said: "It looks like Lavender's been scalded by a jet spray of boiling water.

"The police told me they believe the incidents are linked.

"It's horrific to think about."

The cost of Lavender's extensive treatment has already spiralled to £700, and Sarah now has to keep her indoors because of the injury to her back.

"Her injuries were really horrible," Sarah said.

"It's just so shocking."

Police Community Support Officer Jez Cobley, of Dorset Police’s Oakdale Neighbourhood Policing Team, has urged anyone with information to come forward.

He believes the injuries may have been caused by someone pouring a kettle of boiling water over the pets.

In relation to the incident involving Lavender, a spokesperson from Dorset Police said: "This was reported to police on Friday, January 20, but the incident actually took place on October 31, 2016.

"The cat was taken to the vets. After a week of treatment, the vet is said to have believed that the injury was caused by hot water."

To speak to police, visit dorset.police.uk or call 101.