A GUINEA pig was cruelly dumped in a garden in Lanarkshire on Tuesday evening.

The Scottish SPCA was alerted when a member of public discovered the guinea pig in a garden on Comrie Crescent in Hamilton.

Animal Rescue Officer Sarah Parker said: "He’s a very friendly guinea pig who was found in his cage alongside a bin bag of his belongings.

“Thankfully he was found when he was as he wouldn’t have survived very long out in this cold weather.

“He was also very at risk of being attacked by another animal.

“He’s currently being cared for at our centre in Lanarkshire where he has been named Diablo.”

Abandoning an animal is an offence under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. Anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.

Anyone with information is being urged to contact the Scottish SPCA Animal Helpline on 03000 999 999.