The RSPCA in the South West is already having to deal with pets abandoned after Christmas.

The animal welfare charity has taken in a number of abandoned animals over the last week.

In Cornwall a hamster, along with his cage, bedding and food was found tied up in a black bin bag and left out for the rubbish collection in Newquay the day before Christmas Eve.

And on Christmas Eve a five-month-old cross breed puppy was left tied to the gates of the RSPCA centre in St Columb.

Thrown out

In Devon a ginger kitten was abandoned on Boxing Day in Newton Abbot.

It was found in Jetty Marsh Lane, in a weak and dehydrated state.

At Sowden Park in Barnstaple on Sunday night a black and white kitten was seen being thrown out of a car window.

The car is described as a silver G-reg with a box-type roof rack.

Janet Kipling from the RSPCA described the incident as "despicable"

All of the animals are now in the care of the RSPCA and the charity's inspectors are appealing for information about the abandonment of any animals during or after Christmas.