A MUTILATED hamster was left abandoned in agony - with all four feet MISSING.
The tiny female pet, which had to be put down, was discovered dumped in a cage on the doorstep of a block of flats.
Horrified animal investigators believe the creature may have CHEWED off its own paws and are now hunting the heartless owner who callously left it to suffer.
Scottish SPCA ambulance driver Jennifer Hamilton, who was called out to rescue the distressed hamster in Grangemouth, Stirlingshire, said: "It's very sad when animals are abandoned.
"But this was particularly shocking when we discovered that she did not have any feet.
"The vet who examined her said that she may have chewed them off herself but we don't know what would have driven her to do this.
"Whatever has happened, she must have been in a great deal of pain and her owner should have taken her for vet treatment.
"The injuries appeared quite old, but we can't say how long ago this happened. The bone was exposed on some of the legs.
"Although she was able to move around the cage and eat her food, her quality of life was severely limited and it would have been very cruel to allow her to continue struggling in this way."
The hamster was found on Tuesday in a wire cage with a blue base tray and cartoon character stickers stuck on the sides.
The Scottish SPCA are now keen to trace the person who dumped the stricken animal - and warned they could be jailed.
A spokeswoman said: "It is not uncommon for hamsters to chew their own feet but they don't do it under normal circumstances.
"She must have been unhappy or suffering from an illness. Hamsters are often left in cages at the shelters. But it is the fact the hamster did not have any feet that makes this case so distressing.
"We don't know why it was left in this area. It could be someone from the local area but sometimes people leave their animals where they know they will be found.
"Abandoning an animal is an offence that carries stiff penalties - up to a maximum of six months in prison, a £5,000 fine or both.
"Anyone found guilty of doing so can expect to be banned from keeping animals. The one who left the hamster could also be found guilty of allowing the unnecessary suffering of an animal."
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