Mice want new homes

The family, including a number of new-born babies just days old, were abandoned on wasteland in freezing weather.

They were found by a woman walking her dogs but seven of them, including two adults and three babies, were already dead.

The remaining 23, four adult males, three adult females and 16 babies, are being cared for by the staff at the RSPCA Altham Animal Centre, off Enfield Road. A spokesman said the animals were dumped still inside their cage close to Preston Dock and had little chance of surviving for long in such cold conditions.

Inspector Andy Kench rescued the mice. He said: "This was a terrible thing to do to such innocent and defenceless animals.

"Sadly, five had already fallen victim to the freezing conditions and one of the dead was a heavily pregnant mother.

"It is more than likely that this is a case of animals breeding beyond an owner's ability to cope.

"It is crucial that owners of mice, as well as other rodents, like hamsters and rats, ensure that they find out the sex of their animal and keep males and females apart.

"Otherwise nature will take its course and owners will find themselves having to deal with unwanted young.

"The important message is that people must be aware of all the physical and financial commitments that go hand-in-hand with looking after pets.

"Clearly in this instance the owner has not taken that commitment seriously enough and has left the RSPCA to pick up the pieces."

Anyone found guilty of abandoning an animal in a way that could cause suffering could be jailed for up to six months, fined up to £5,000 or banned from keeping animals for any period up to life, he said.

Animal lovers who would like to offer a home to any of the mice should ring the RSPCA Altham Animal Centre on 01254 231118. Anyone knowing the identity of the person who abandoned the mice should ring the RSPCA's 24-hour advice and cruelty number on 08705 555 999.