Guinea pigs in nappy box dumped in cemetery

Five guinea pigs were found dumped in a graveyard on one of the hottest days of the year, prompting a charity to launch an investigation.

The animals were discovered inside a nappy box by the bins at the back gate of Herne Cemetery on 26 June.

RSPCA Canterbury says they remain in good condition and they believe three may be pregnant.

Rescue officer Georgia Shelton said: "It's fortunate a member of the public found them and took them straight to the vets."

The guinea pigs remain in the care of RSPCA Canterbury and if no owner comes forward they will be rehomed.

"We ask anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area, especially anyone carrying a Pampers box on that day, to get in touch," Ms Shelton added.

"These poor guinea pigs were put in a box and dumped on one of the hottest days of the year."

The charity adds summer is also a "peak time" for animal cruelty and encourages residents to take abandoned animals they found directly to a local vet or rescue centre.

"These teams can call in the expertise of our officers if there's evidence that the animal has been neglected or abused," a spokesperson for the charity said.

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