Residents at San Roque Club have been left devastated after a beloved stray cat was found dead under suspicious circumstances – with many believing she was poisoned.

The cat, affectionately cared for by nine-year-old Dani and his family, had been missing for around a week before her body was discovered hidden deep inside bushes near the area where she usually lived.

Speaking to The Spanish Eye, Dani’s mother Daria Dubinina described the animal’s remarkable transformation from a terrified stray into a much-loved companion.

‘Dani is nine years old and, like myself, is very passionate about helping animals in need,’ she said.

‘He feeds loads of stray cats and even sells homemade lemonade to raise money for food for them.’

According to Dubinina, the cat was one of the most fearful animals she had ever encountered.

‘It took us almost six months to build her trust,’ she explained. ‘She never left the bushes until we walked far away and would demolish her food in seconds before running back into hiding.’

Over time, however, the cat slowly began to emerge from her shelter.

Dani would regularly feed her and the animal eventually became comfortable enough to visit their terrace, where food was left for her.

The family says they started feeding her closer to home after receiving complaints from a neighbour about leaving food outside an official feeding station.

‘We tried to explain that she was too terrified,’ Dubinina said. ‘She must have been abused before and it was impossible to explain to her where the feeding station was.’

Eventually the cat’s personality began to shine through.

‘She wouldn’t even eat sometimes, she would just want cuddles,’ Dubinina recalled. ‘We couldn’t walk past her because she would rub herself against our legs.’

The animal became a daily part of their lives, often waiting in nearby bushes for Dani and his family to arrive.

Even after gaining confidence, she remained extremely cautious.

‘If she saw somebody near our terrace, she would wait for as long as necessary before coming over,’ Dubinina said.

‘Even when nobody was there and we called her, it could take up to a minute for her to leave the safety of the bushes and cross the road.’

For that reason, Dubinina says she struggles to believe the cat died after being struck by a vehicle.

Two days ago, a neighbour knocked on her door after finding a dead cat hidden among dense bushes.

‘I went there immediately and it was her,’ Dubinina said.

‘She looked absolutely healthy and perfect. There were no bruises, no broken bones, absolutely nothing. Just lots of blood around her mouth and nose.

‘If it wasn’t for that, I would have said she died peacefully in her sleep.’

The family buried the cat near their home so Dani could continue to visit her.

The following day, they returned with fresh flowers.

Dubinina said further concerns arose when another rescue cat in their care was later found to have vomited repeatedly.

‘He is fine, thank God,’ she said. ‘But the whole thing just doesn’t seem like a hit and run.’

The cat’s death has generated strong reactions among local residents and animal lovers, with many expressing sympathy for Dani, who had become deeply attached to the animal after months of patiently earning her trust.

At present, there is no official confirmation of the cause of death, and no evidence has been released proving the cat was poisoned.

To prove a cat has been poisoned, it must be sent to a special laboratory hundreds of miles away in Cordoba – and it is a very expensive ordeal.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.