The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after two seriously ill rats were handed them into the charity’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre.
A member of the public found the creatures in a lay by at the side of the A70 just after the right-hand turn for Kirknewton on Sunday (12 January
Sadly, both male rats were in poor condition and suffering from tumours.
One of the rats has since been put to sleep to end his suffering while the other remains in a critical condition.
Assistant manager Kenny Sharpe said, “There were two rats left inside the cage, one white and one brown, and they were both fairly large.
“The white rat was in a very bad way, suffering from multiple tumours and a skin condition.
“Tragically, he was dying in our hands and the kindest and only humane option was to put him to sleep to end his pain.
“The brown rat also has a tumour and is continuing to be monitored by our veterinary team.
“Whoever abandoned these rats left them outside on a very cold day and it seems they didn’t care what happened to these animals.
“It may be that their owner couldn’t afford to take them to the vet to seek the help they desperately needed, but this is no excuse to leave any animal at the side of the road like a piece of rubbish.
“We would like to hear from anyone who knows who these rats may have belonged to as abandoning an animal and failing to provide them with necessary veterinary attention are criminal offences under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006.”
Anyone with information is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
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.
