“HOW could anybody be so cruel?”

This tiny Syrian hamster was left to drown in a vase full of water when her owners moved out of a house in the Poole area on Thursday.

Lucky, as she’s been nicknamed, was saved in the nick of a time when someone came round to inspect the property and found her fighting for life, just about keeping her nose out of the water.

Lucky was rushed off to Margaret Green Animal Rescue for a bit of tender loving care, but sadly it was already too late for another hamster in the vase, which had already been killed.

Ellie Makin, Margaret Green’s Church Knowle centre manager, said: “Lucky was totally drenched, cold and shivering.

“We immediately took her in and tried to warm her up. We don’t think she inhaled any water and are quite hopeful that she will make it through.

“Then she’ll be looking for a nice new home. It will have to be a very special one.”

Lucky has started tucking into cucumber on her road to recovery.

“It brought tears to our eyes to think of them in that vase,” Ellie added.

“Why wouldn’t you just leave them in a cage with plenty of food, for someone to find?

“It’s so very cruel.”

Margaret Green Animal Rescue looks after unwanted, abandoned and ill-treated animals all year round.

To donate or re-home a pet, visit margaretgreenanimalrescue.org.uk or call 01929 480474.