DOZENS of prize guinea pigs and rabbits worth thousands of pounds died in an arson attack at an allotment.
Bill Morris, 67, of Stargate Lane, Stargate, Ryton, Gates-head, was left devastated by the loss.
He said: "I came up to the allotment and the pigs were everywhere. All the doors were open and the place was well alight.
"I do not understand why anybody would do this. It was a horrible sight seeing all the guinea pigs and rabbits killed like that."
Firefighters from Swalwell and Chopwell fire stations, who were called to Mr Morris' allotment, arrived to find it well alight on Monday morning.
One of the rabbits, which has now been renamed Lucky, survived the fire.
Police are investigating the incident.
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