A FAMILY is today distraught after thugs broke into their garden and cruelly drowned their new pet guinea pig.

A FAMILY is today distraught after thugs broke into their garden and cruelly drowned their new pet guinea pig.

As a present, the Sayer family were given three guinea pigs on Saturdayand set up a run for them, which was protected by chicken wire, at their Bramford home.

However while they were out at lunch on Monday, the heartless culprits got in and killed the mother guinea pig, called Squeak, by drowning her in a water jug.

It is believed the individuals responsible, who broke into the garden in Fitzgerald Road between noon and 5pm and had to lift Squeak out of the wooden run, were disturbed before they could harm the two baby guinea pigs, Carrot and Bubble.

Kelly Sayer claimed her children, Jake, ten, Morgan, six, and Mollie, three, were in tears after they saw what had happened.

Mrs Sayer, 27, said: “We had gone out for lunch and when we got back I went over to the guinea pig run and saw something in the corner. Then I saw it was one of the guinea pigs.

“Someone must have lifted the lid of the run and taken Squeak out and then emptied their water bottle into the jug and drowned it.

“Then they placed the guinea pig in the corner. It was soaking. It looks like they tried to get the others too as a bit of their fur has come off but maybe they were disturbed.

“I was in so much shock that before I had the chance to say anything, the children came over and saw it. They were distraught. It was Morgan's guinea pig and she ran into the house crying.

“The police call it criminal damage but it is murder. I can't believe who would do this.”

If you saw anything suspicious around this time and can help police with their enquiries, call Pc Cathy Osborne at Stowmarket Police on 01473 613500 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.