Guinea pig found dumped in Midlothian park

Jareth – as he is now being called by welfare officers - was found at King George V Park in Bonnyrigg.

A member of the public discovered the animal roaming in bushes after their dog followed its scent on October 26.

John Toule, Scottish SPCA senior inspector, said: “We’re not sure how long the Guinea pig had been left in the park or how it came to be there.

“He was spotted by a member of the public along with an empty blue bowl. There were also shavings on the ground.

“The scene suggested that a box may have been emptied out, possibly a make-shift home for the large rodent, but there was no carrier or box found.

“Thankfully, the Guinea pig has no obvious injuries and appears to be in good health.

“We are grateful to the member of the public for alerting us to the Guinea pig. If he hadn’t been found he could have frozen to death or been found by a larger animal.”

The animal is now being provided with the care he needs at the SSPCA’s Edinburgh and Lothians Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre and officers are keen to trace his owner.

The discovery comes just weeks after two kittens, aged five or six months, were found abandoned in Edinburgh’s Gilmerton area, inside a red fabric cat carrier.

If anyone has any information, SSPCA is urging them to phone its animal helpline on 03000 999 999. All calls can be treated confidentially.

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