Woman dies after cat scratch

A 60-year-old woman is believed to have died after her pet cat accidentally pierced a varicose vein, police said today.

The woman was found by a friend at her home in Ferry Kinksey Road, in the Botley area of Oxford, last night.

Police, who have not disclosed the woman’s name, say they are not treating the death as suspicious.

A Thames Valley Police spokesman said: ‘‘At this time it’s believed that an injury caused by the lady’s cat was responsible for piercing a varicose vein, contributing to her demise.’’

The spokesman said an initial report into the incident will be presented to the coroner tomorrow.