A quartet of budgies where found dumped in an alleyway.

**Warning: this article contains some images which readers may find distressing**

The four birds had extensive feather loss which prevented them flying away.

They were found huddled together on the floor by a member of the public in an alleyway off Venmore Drive, Dunmow, earlier this month.

RSPCA inspector Lucy Brennan is investigating the incident and said: “These four budgies were in a very sorry state, they’d been found huddled together on the floor in an alleyway and had clearly been dumped. They were cold and had extensive feather loss which would have made it impossible for them to fly away.

“I am aware of two similar incidents like this which have happened over the last couple of years in the Essex area, whereby other budgies have been found with extensive feather loss and also found in an alley huddled on the floor.

Braintree and Witham Times:

“The previous two incidents were in Epping. While there is a quite a distance between where the last two sets of birds were found and these four, it is still very suspicious. One of the sets was found in February in 2016 and there was a total of four birds, sadly they so unwell they could not be saved and had to be put to sleep to prevent them suffering further.

“I am very grateful to the member of the public who found the four birds in Dunmow and kept them safe. They have been taken to a wildlife hospital for treatment and I am happy to report they are recovering well.

“I have put up found posters in the area, but if If anyone recognises the bird or believes they know who owns them I would urge them to contact me on the RSPCA’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018.”

The incident happened on Sunday, October 7.

To help the RSPCA rescue, rehabilitate and rehome other animals like Berry please donate by visiting www.rspca.org.uk/give.