RSPCA appeal after bearded dragons dumped in Basildon

An animal welfare charity is appealing for information after a pair of foot-long (30cm) bearded dragons were found dumped on a green.

The green/brown reptiles were at first thought dead when they were found on Saturday in Malgraves, Basildon.

RSPCA inspector Adam Jones took them to a vet where they were warmed up.

He said: "It is disgusting to think that they were in a warm, comfortable vivarium one minute then abandoned and exposed to all the elements."

Mr Jones said he could not comprehend "someone discarding animals like this".

"We have been experiencing strong gusty winds and rain and temperatures below 5°C, so they were just left to die," he said.