A FAMILY has been left distraught after their four pet guinea pigs were found dead in an incinerator.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk police today condemned the actions as “cowardly” and urged anyone with information to come forward as soon as possible.

The gruesome incident happened in Dell Road, Oulton Broad, near Lowestoft, between 10pm on Monday and 9.30am on Tuesday.

An occupant at the address had been using an incinerator to burn garden waste during the evening but when he went to feed the guinea pigs the next morning he found their hutch in the garden had been destroyed and the animals were missing.

He made a search before looking in the incinerator and finding their bodies.

Police do not yet know if the guinea pigs were killed first, before being placed in the incinerator.

A spokeswoman for Suffolk Constabulary said: “This is a shocking and distressing crime, particularly for the family involved, and we hope someone with information about the person responsible will come forward.

“How cowardly do you have to be to target a child’s defenceless pets? Someone will know who did this and we hope they have the courage to pass this information to police.”

Anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area or anyone with information about those responsible to call the Lowestoft South Safer Neighbourhood Team on 101.