A pregnant mother had to rush her children to hospital after her medical alert dog and seven cats were ‘poisoned’ by an unknown toxin – as police arrest a 32-year-old woman.

Courtney briefly lost her sight after falling ill herself and has been swamped with thousands of pounds of vet bills amid the ordeal, which has left one of her beloved cats dead and the rest critically unwell.

The mother-of-two, from east Hertfordshire, who is expecting her third child, told the Daily Mail how her family is unable to leave the house as it has still not been declared safe.

Courtney said she has been informed the animals are suffering from opioid poisoning, thought to be from a substance made up of heroin and a second ingredient, which is believed to have been sprayed around her home.

Police have arrested a 32-year-old woman, who has since been bailed.

Courtney has launched a fundraiser after vet bills spiralled to £15,500 – although the veterinary practice has capped her payable bill at £4,500. She has already had to borrow money from friends and described the situation as ‘horrendous’.

Courtney’s nightmare began earlier this week, when she allowed her cats and young dog to come and go in her front garden as usual.

On Monday evening, she noticed that one of her cats was unable to move, and rushed them to the emergency vet.

Courtney with her cats Jelly (left) and Bubbles (right). The mother-of-two briefly lost her sight after falling ill and has been swamped with thousands of pounds of vet bills after a poisoning  left one of her beloved cats dead and the rest critically unwell

Courtney with her cat Bean who sadly passed away following the poisoning 

Courtney’s service dog Pickles was in a critical condition but has since recovered

Upon her return home, she told the Daily Mail a second cat seemed unable to walk in a straight line, but as it had no other visible symptoms, she decided to simply keep a close eye.

But by 3.30am the next morning, five of Courtney’s eight cats were seriously ill and unable to walk.

‘I woke up, and I just had the worst feeling,’ she said. ‘They were extremely distressed, they were seizing. I rang the emergency vets and had to get a taxi to the animal hospital with all five, one of them was basically at death’s door.’

After returning home, Courtney discovered a seventh cat, which was missing from her home, critically ill under a nearby car. This and her medical support dog also required urgent vet treatment.

Describing how Pickles, her young assistance dog, fell ill, she said: ‘My dog was out in the garden for 30 seconds, 60 seconds at most, and then an hour later he was critical.

‘He died on the table.’

Fortunately, expert veterinary staff were able to revive Pickles, and he was rushed to Great Ashby Veterinary Hospital in Stevenage alongside another of Courtney’s cats.

Although Pickles is now recovering, the same could not be said for cat Bean, who sadly passed away this week.

Courntney’s cat Paloma. Courtney said she has been informed the animals are suffering from opioid poisoning, thought to be from a substance made up of heroin and a second ingredient, which is believed to have been sprayed around her home

Only one of Courtney’s pets remained unaffected: her eighth cat, who did not go outside during the period her other animals fell ill.

After being advised to phone emergency services, expert officers from the fire brigade attended the address, but she says she is still unable to leave her property because the contaminated area has not been made safe.

On Thursday, Courtney had to rush her two young children to hospital after they all suffered symptoms including headaches and upset stomachs.

After handling many of the affected pets, Courtney told the Daily Mail she briefly lost her sight – a recognised symptom of opioid poisoning.

It is believed the opioid was mixed with a second substance due to the length of time which the family and animals have been affected.

Thankfully she and her children were all cleared to return home, although she remains concerned about any possible effects on her unborn baby.

Courtney said: ‘All my animals have had to learn to walk again, to stand again, how to eat.

Courtney with her cat Bean. She has  launched a fundraiser after vet bills spiralled to £15,500 – although the veterinary practice has capped her payable bill at £4,500

‘It’s really crazy. I haven’t been able to grieve [for Bean]. My daughter is having nightmares, she’s witnessed the most horrific things, she’s three years old.

‘It’s horrendous.’

She continued: ‘My main priority is obviously getting my animals well, but I can’t even focus on the ones that are sick, or on the one that’s died, because I’m too busy dealing with trying to get the outside of my house made safe.’

Courtney praised her vets, Woolpack Veterinary Centre in Buntingford, for their support and advocacy with police.

She said any money raised above the cost of her bills will be donated to the clinic.

A spokesperson for Hertfordshire Police said: ‘Police are investigating the circumstances around the reported exposure of pet animals to a reported substance in a garden.

‘It had been reported that four pet animals had fallen sick as a result of the exposure to an alleged substance.

‘Officers attended an address on Thursday 17 July where further allegations were made around children also falling unwell. They attended hospital as a precautionary measure and have now returned home.

‘One cat has died, while two cats and a dog have made a recovery and have returned home, following treatment. The cat was seized and enquiries into the cause of death are currently ongoing.

‘Officers have been working with partner authorities to establish the circumstances around the incident.

‘A 32-year-old woman was arrested by officers in connection with the incident. She has since been released on bail while enquiries are continuing.’