Dumped chinchillas found in woods

It is believed the animals may have been dumped by a breeder

A man out walking his dog discovered 10 chinchillas which had been abandoned in woods in East Sussex.

Paul Rogers found the unwanted pets in Church Wood, St Leonards, and collected them, even climbing a tree to reach one of them, before taking them home.

Rangers from Hastings Borough Council picked up the animals from Mr Rogers and took them to the RSPCA which is now hoping to find them new homes.

One of the chinchillas had to be put down after being attacked by a dog.

A spokesman for the rangers said: "We believe a breeder had dumped them in the woods as they were the wrong colour and some of them have deformities.

"These animals would not have survived the night as they are used to a warm climate and would have made easy pickings for predators like foxes or badgers."