Dumped rat in recovery

A starving rat left dumped in a cage in Walsall is doing well and making good progress, RSPCA staff said today.

The small grey rat has been nicknamed Ratatouille due to his resemblance to the popular Disney character by staff at Bir-mingham Animal Hospital.

Ratatouille was found dumped in a large two-stor-ey rat cage in woods at Silverdale Park estate on Wed- nesday. Two other rats in the cage had died.

A dog walker made the grim discovery while out on a morning stroll.

But Craig Osborne, manager of Birmingham Animal Hospital, today revealed the surviving rat was going from strength to strength. "Ratatouille is a lovely gentle rat and is doing well," he said

RSPCA officers have condemned those who had dumped the rats as ignorant and irresponsible.