A GROUP of guinea pigs have been found dumped in a country lane in Hampshire.

Four guinea pigs were found in a discarded cage in a fly-tipping incident on January 26, in the morning.

Fareham Borough Council’s enforcement team rescued the animals found in Swivelton Lane.

Officers were shocked to make the discovery during a general patrol for fly-tipping in the area.

One of the pigs has been rescued and is now being cared for temporarily.

She has for the meanwhile been named Shaggy because of her long fur.

Sadly, three other guinea pigs who were located outside of the discarded cage have not survived.

Shaggy was taken to Popcorning Piggies guinea pig rescue centre, based in Gosport.

Luckily, she has been rehomed but the team will look after until she puts on weight.

Executive Member for Health and Public Protection, Cllr Trevor Cartwright said: “It’s shocking that anyone would dump animals in this way, and we will work with our partners to identify who has done this.

“Unwanted pets should be rehomed or taken to local rescue centres – it is never acceptable to just leave them by the side of the road.

“This was an upsetting discovery for our officers but thankfully there will at least be a happy ending for one of the Guinea pigs, thanks to the care from our enforcement team.”

In a Facebook post Popcorning Piggies said: "She is very thin underneath all her crazy hair, she has sore feet and a little cut on her back.

"She’s very nervous but that’s to be expected. She’s safe now and will get all the love and treatment she needs.

"She’s on pregnancy watch as we don’t know if the other guinea pigs were boars or sows."