The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after a box containing two pet rats was dumped in a shopping centre toilet in Edinburgh.
Scotland’s animal welfare charity was alerted on Wednesday after staff at the St James Centre witnessed a woman leave an object in the female toilet.
The two male domestic rats are now in the care of the charity’s Edinburgh Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Balerno.
Inspector Emma Phillips said, “Security workers at the centre were able to see a woman on CCTV cameras go into the toilets with the box at around 5pm on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately there wasn’t a clear picture of her face as she seemed to be aware of the cameras.
“Both the rats are in good condition which suggests they had been well looked after until this point.
“Inside the box was a carrier bag and rabbit food. On the box itself there was a lot of writing which appears to be in Polish.
“We would urge anyone who recognises the rats to get in touch with us.
“It’s sad these animals have been dumped like this and we’ll continue to care for them until we can find them the home they deserve.”
Abandoning and causing an animal unnecessary suffering 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.
Photo by Scottish SPCA
John graduated from Telford College in 2010 with an HNC in Practical Journalism and since then he worked for the North Edinburgh News, The Southern Reporter, the Irish News Review and The Edinburgh Reporter. In addition he has been published in the Edinburgh Evening News and the Hibernian FC Programme.
