Guinea pigs dumped in box in Edinburgh park

THE Scottish SPCA has appealed for information after two guinea pigs were “cruelly dumped” in a plastic box in an Edinburgh park and one of the rodents was killed by a dog after it escaped.

Trio, the surviving guinea pig of the two found in an Edinburgh park. Picture: SSPCA

The two guinea pigs were abandoned in the box without any water on Tuesday at the Gyle public park in the city’s Gylemuir Road.

Officers from Scotland’s leading animal welfare charity were alerted after a local resident spotted the guinea pigs on Tuesday night.

An SSPCA spokeswoman said: “The lady was able to catch and safely contain one of the guinea pigs but the other was seen being chased by a dog which eventually caught and killed it.

“The remaining guinea pig has been named Trio and is now in the care of the Scottish SPCA’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre.”

Melissa Maitland, an SSPCA Animal Rescue Officer, said: “The guinea pigs appeared to have been dumped inside a red plastic box which had tipped over onto its side.

“It looked like the box may have been used not just to dump them in but as their home because the wood shavings were soiled and mixed in with food, however there was no water available.”

She continued: “This was a particularly sad incident where two guinea pigs were not only cruelly dumped but subjected to a terrifying ordeal resulting in one of the animals being killed.

“We are very keen to speak to anyone who knows anything about this incident, particularly people who may have noticed someone carrying the red box or acting suspiciously in the area.

“We will now care for Trio until we can find him a loving new home where he will receive the proper care and attention he deserves.”

An SSPCA spokeswoman said: “Abandoning an animal is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 and anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life. Anyone with information is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.”