AN APPEAL has been launched after a cruel pet owner dumped two rats in an open cage in a rural lane, just days before Christmas – which led to one being killed by a car.

The RSPCA was alerted by a member of the public who discovered the cage in a layby off Chadwick Lane in Belbroughton on Tuesday, December 20.

One rat was found hiding inside the cage whilst the other had left the cage as the door was left wide open, and was sadly found dead in the layby, having been run over by a vehicle.

RSPCA inspector Adrian Langley said: "Dumping pet rats out in the wild to fend for themselves in this way is a cold and thoughtless act.

"Someone made the decision to do this to these poor creatures and sadly one died because of this. It’s cruel and an unnecessary way to treat defenceless animals.

"I’m hoping someone will recognise the rats or the cage they were left with.

"Both the rats have quite distinct marking. The surviving rat is mainly white with a dark stripe down his back, while the one who died was mainly white with a brown head.

"The cage they were abandoned in had a number of embellishments inside, including ropes and tubes."

Anyone who has information on who is responsible for dumping the rats should contact the RSPCA’s appeal line in complete confidence on 0300 123 8018.