A HAMSTER is breathing a sigh of relief after almost coming to a pongy demise in a dog waste bin.

Sidney is now enjoying life in cleaner surroundings thanks to a resident in Sinodun Close, Long Wittenham, who initially thought a rat had scrambled into the bin.

Carl Worcester, who lives in the street, was on hand to perform the good deed when he spotted children gathered around the bin.

Mr Worcester heard scrambling and lifted the lid and found the rodent nestling inside. He put Sidney in a box, took him home and called the RSPCA.

Spokesman Sophie Wilkinson said the hamster was left slightly shaken, dirty and very smelly, but unharmed by his ordeal.

RSPCA officer Dennis Lovell, who collected the hamster from Mr Worcester, cared for Sidney for a few days before he was happily re-homed.

Mr Lovell said: “This little hamster could well have suffered a much worse fate, including suffocation or starvation, so it was very lucky he was found.

“It may have seemed like a joke to whoever did this, but animals are not playthings and can suffer pain, distress and even death when they are treated in this way.”

Ms Wilkinson said in the past animals had been found in some strange places.

A few years ago a hamster was discovered by the RSPCA in a letterbox and an iguana was left in a box at a petrol station.

Kate McConaghy, spokesman for South Oxfordshire District Council, said: “Cannon, which is currently contracted to empty the council’s dog waste bins, has found no live animals in dog waste bins to date.”

Anyone found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to animals could face a maximum six-month prison sentence and or a £20,000 fine.

Anyone with information about the incident, on March 1, should call the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999.

jrivett@oxfordmail.co.uk