Gerbils rescued from roadside

THREE male gerbils have been rescued after being found abandoned in a cage beside a busy a road.

A woman on her way to work spotted the cage on a footpath just off Kincardine Road in Carronshore, Falkirk, between 8am and 9am on 6 September.

The Scottish SPCA was called to rescue the pets, which are now being cared for at the charity’s centre in Hamilton. Staff at the centre have been named them “Tom”, “Dick” and “Harry”.

SSPCA ambulance driver Jennifer Hamilton said yesterday: “Kincardine Road is busy with commuters and the footpath is used regularly by dog walkers so we think Tom, Dick and Harry were probably abandoned early that morning.

“It’s irresponsible and cruel to dump your unwanted pets outdoors. Small animals and gerbils in particular can easily perish in the cold.”