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PET POISON PUZZLE

Russian spy Sergei Skripal’s pet cat and guinea pigs are taken away for tests

Neighbours say the poisoned Russian spy's animals have not been seen since he was hospitalised

POISONED Sergei Skripal’s cat and two guinea pigs have been taken away for tests, say sources.

The spy’s vet contacted police immediately after hearing he had collapsed along with his daughter Yulia on March 4.

 Yulia with her pet Persian cat, who has not been seen since the attack
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Yulia with her pet Persian cat, who has not been seen since the attackCredit: Facebook
 Tested... the cat with the guinea pigs
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Tested... the cat with the guinea pigsCredit: Facebook

A source close to the family said: “Nobody has seen the poor pets since the poisoning.

"I understand the cat and the guinea pigs were removed from the house and taken away to be assessed.”

Friends revealed last week the Russian, 66, spent hours playing old computer war games surrounded by his guinea pigs.

The black Persian cat — which Yulia, 33, referred to as Nash van Drake on Russian social media — would have cost around £1,500.

Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia, both pictured, are fighting for their lives after a nerve agent attack. Security sources believe Yulia's suitcase was laced before she left Russia
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Sergei Skripal and his daughter Yulia are fighting for their lives after a nerve agent attackCredit: Facebook

Pals said the Skripals spent thousands bringing it to Britain from their homeland.

Vet Howard Taylor, 56, said: “We phoned the police on day one to offer to help if they needed it.

"I thought it unlikely the police would have gone to the house and not done anything.”

He said of Mr Skripal: “He was a nice chap and we got on well.

“He never said he was in fear for his life. He used the vets for some years and I had seen his cat and his guinea pigs.”

 Police officers in protective suits in Salisbury on Friday
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Police officers in protective suits in Salisbury on FridayCredit: Getty Images - Getty

Meanwhile, police returned to the scene of the poisoning in Salisbury, taking swabs from a railing close to where visiting Theresa May stood.

The military also removed Mr Skripal’s car from a recovery yard and took it to the government Porton Down chemical lab.

No10 said the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons will also take a sample of the nerve agent used.

Russian Ambassador Mr Yakovenko claims UK government's response to the attack on Sergei Skripal was a gross provocation against Russia

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