14 May 2008

A family from Reading has been credited with saving the lives of a group of guinea pigs that are believed to have been abandoned.

Debbie Holmes explained that she and he children Jack and Amber were walking their pet dog near where they live and were shocked to find seven fluffy little animals running around.

Ms Holmes gathered the animals together and eventually they were rehoused with another local animal loving resident.

She told the Get Reading news service that the guinea pigs looked very much as if they had been deliberately abandoned by an unscrupulous member of the local community.

"I am totally horrified someone would dump them. I think it is disgusting," she said.

"They were so beautiful. I am glad I found them and they are all safe now."

Last week, Leeds Magistrates' Court ruled that a 50-year-old man from Yorkshire should be banned from owning any kind of pet after he was found guilty of animal cruelty and ordered to pay £200 fine.