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Animals found dead in student car | Animals found dead in student car |
(about 21 hours later) | |
More than 70 animals have been found dead in a car after a student left them to go to classes, a charity has said. | More than 70 animals have been found dead in a car after a student left them to go to classes, a charity has said. |
The USPCA said the creatures probably died of heat exhaustion and dehydration after they were crammed into a small family car in Coleraine. | The USPCA said the creatures probably died of heat exhaustion and dehydration after they were crammed into a small family car in Coleraine. |
Almost 500 birds, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits and rats were discovered in the vehicle. | Almost 500 birds, hamsters, gerbils, rabbits and rats were discovered in the vehicle. |
However, when the USPCA arrived to remove the animals, 70 of the 477 were dead. | However, when the USPCA arrived to remove the animals, 70 of the 477 were dead. |
The animals were spotted by a passer-by who alerted police about boxes and cages in the vehicle in Coleraine. | The animals were spotted by a passer-by who alerted police about boxes and cages in the vehicle in Coleraine. |
The animals were being kept in cages in the carThe USPCA said it believed the owner of the car was a student who had left the car while he went to classes. | |
It is understood it had been his intention to deliver the animals to a pet shop in County Donegal. | It is understood it had been his intention to deliver the animals to a pet shop in County Donegal. |
The animal charity said: "By the time the car was opened, over 70 of the animals were dead or dying, probably from dehydration and heat. | The animal charity said: "By the time the car was opened, over 70 of the animals were dead or dying, probably from dehydration and heat. |
"Post mortems will establish the exact causes of death and form part of an evidence file to support a prosecution under the welfare of animals act. | |
"The survivors were signed over to the care of the USPCA and removed for veterinary assessment." | |
Stephen Philpott, chief executive of the USPCA, said the dangers of leaving pets in cars in warm weather was well known but that "ignorance is not an excuse". | Stephen Philpott, chief executive of the USPCA, said the dangers of leaving pets in cars in warm weather was well known but that "ignorance is not an excuse". |
"Over 70 of these small and vulnerable creatures died needlessly and the USPCA will be calling for the prosecution of the car owner. | "Over 70 of these small and vulnerable creatures died needlessly and the USPCA will be calling for the prosecution of the car owner. |
"Perhaps the scale of this tragedy will act as a timely reminder of the peril faced by any animal confined in a locked vehicle." | "Perhaps the scale of this tragedy will act as a timely reminder of the peril faced by any animal confined in a locked vehicle." |
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