HELPLESS domestic pets were left to freeze to death by cruel owners on one of the coldest nights of the winter. A rabbit and four guinea pigs were dumped in a car park on Therfield Heath, Royston, opposite The Little Chef. And in temperatures of minus fiv

HELPLESS domestic pets were left to freeze to death by cruel owners on one of the coldest nights of the winter.

A rabbit and four guinea pigs were dumped in a car park on Therfield Heath, Royston, opposite The Little Chef.

And in temperatures of minus five degrees centigrade last Tuesday night, three of the guinea pigs froze to death and the rabbit and fourth guinea pig suffered from hypothermia.

Gillian Knight of Heathlands Animal Sanctuary in Royston said: "It was a very callous act on the worst possible night. Why anybody would do this is hard to understand when there's help at hand.

"When the animals were found their temperature was four degrees below normal.

"The rabbit, which we have now called Frosty was covered in frost and her gut had stopped working. If she had been left for much longer she could have died."

Animals have been abandoned at the same spot before, says Mrs Knight.

"I think they are being left here because it is an area where you can pull in with a car without anyone seeing you," she said.

"It's very easy to buy an animal but it's a great commitment and shouldn't be taken on lightly."

Mrs Knight is appealing to anyone who has information to come forward.

"Someone knows where these animals came from. Information will be dealt with in the strictest confidence," she said.

An RSPCA spokeswoman said: "It's absolutely abhorrent for anyone to abandon an animal.

"Rabbits and guinea pigs are some of the most neglected animals because they are often bought for children and people become tired of looking after them.

"But there is no excuse for this type of behaviour when there are places that can help, such as the RSPCA.

"While people may have to wait a couple of weeks to get their animal rehomed, it's better to do that rather than dump it somewhere where it can get injured or die.

"People considering getting an animal should think seriously about whether they can look after it for the rest of its life."

Anyone with information regarding the incident should call the RSPCA's cruelty line on 0870 5555999

Alternatively, if you can rehome Frosty, call Heathlands Animal Sanctuary on 01763 244488.