Hamster apparently fried to death at students' flat (From The Northern Echo)

Hamster apparently fried to death at students' flat

11:03am Sunday 12th February 2012 in York & Harrogate News By Mark Foster

HORRIFIED police discovered a hamster had apparently been fried to death when called to a drunken disturbance at a students’ flat.

They found the dead pet lying in a frying pan in the kitchen of the apartment in Pope’s Head Court, York.

It is understood that officers were called to the block of flats just over a week ago following reports of a drunken disturbance.

They arrested a 20-year-old student for being drunk and disorderly and then made their grim discovery while conducting a spot-check around the flat.

They then arrested the 20-year-old man on further suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. He has since been released on bail.

They dead animal is now being kept in a freezer at York police station while investigations continue jointly with the RSPCA. It is understood the inquiry will hinge on whether the hamster was alive or dead before it was fried.

The creature belonged to the arrested man’s flatmate, a foreign student studying in the city. He was said to be distraught.

A spokesman for the national animal welfare charity the BlueCross said: ““This is an horrific and tragic incident for both the poor hamster and the owner concerned.

“At the Blue Cross, we sadly see animals who have been terribly neglected or deliberately mistreated, in desperate need of our care and loving new homes.

“We hope that this case is taken as seriously as it deserves to be by the relevant authorities.”

A police statement said: “A 20-year-old man was arrested at an address on Pope’s Head Court, Peter Lane, York, on Saturday, February 4, on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.

“He has been released on bail while police and RSPCA inquiries continue.”