Cockerels dumped in forest
The Scottish SPCA is appealing for information after 11 cockerels were abandoned in Dunnet Forest near Thurso.
The dumped birds were reported to us by a member of the public on Monday (7 March).
Senior Inspector Audrey Gunn said, "When we arrived the cockerels weren't keen on getting close to us so we had to coax them with some bird food.
"After several hours we managed to rescue ten of the cockerels but the last one refused to be caught and ran off.
"The ten cockerels were taken to our Caithness and Sutherland Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre where they have settled in well.
"We returned the following day to try and rescue the eleventh cockerel but after more than an hour of searching he was nowhere to be seen.
"It's very unusual to find so many cockerels together so it is likely that they have been dumped there.
"We would urge anyone who has information about the birds to contact us.
"The cockerels are now looking for new homes so we would also like to hear from anyone who is interested in rehoming any of them."
Abandoning an animal is an offence and anyone found guilty of doing so can be banned from keeping animals for a fixed period or life.
Anyone with information about the cockerels should contact our animal helpline on 03000 999 999.