DEAD albino ferrets were found dumped at a roadside near Bicester. 

The RSPCA has slammed the act as 'thoughtless' and 'cruel' but managed to save two live ferrets that were found fighting for their lives nearby.

Passerby Malcolm Metcalfe said he was 'disgusted' after making the grim discovery in Charlton-on-Otmoor on Monday at about 12.30pm.

The dead ferrets were hidden inside a wooden bedside cabinet that he initially assumed was fly-tipped rubbish.

Mr Metcalfe said: "I’ve never seen anything like it. I had been on my way home from spending a few hours in my allotment.

"I hate fly-tipping so I’d slowed down to see what had been dumped as it wasn’t there when I’d been past at around 9am.

“I’d spotted one of the ferrets while looking at the cabinet and at first thought it was a weasel but when I got out of the car I realised it was a ferret.

"He was so friendly and came over to me to be picked up. It’s sad to think someone could just throw animals away like that and leave them to die."

Mr Metcalfe immediately rang the RSPCA whose team found another ferret in the undergrowth.

The animal charity's inspector Andy Eddy said: “Dumping pet ferrets out in the wild to fend for themselves in this way is a cold and thoughtless act.

“Someone made the decision to do this to these poor creatures and it is a cruel and an unnecessary way to treat defenceless animals.

“We do not know if the five were dead when dumped or if they died as a result of lack of food and water, as there was none left for them.

“The two small ferrets found alive were thin and very hungry and thirsty.

“I’m hoping someone will recognise the ferrets or be able to provide us with information about where they have come from or be able to help us find the person who abandoned them.”

Mr Metcalfe initially took one of the ferrets home and gave him a drink, adding: "I’ve never seen an animal drink so much so quickly, he must had been very dehydrated.

"He was really good and was playing with my 10-year-old son in the garden.”

The two ferrets are currently being cared for at RSPCA Blackberry Farm Animal Centre in Aylesbury. 

Anyone who has information about the ferrets can contact the RSPCA anonymously on 0300 123 8018.