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Asharq Al-Awsat
Asharq Al-Awsat
World
Asharq Al-Awsat

Guinea Pigs, Cat Victims of Spy Poisoning in UK

A police officer stands guard outside of the home of former Russian military intelligence officer Sergei Skripal, in Salisbury, Britain, March 6, 2018. REUTERS/Toby Melville

The British government has said that two guinea pigs and a cat were victims of the Salisbury poisoning that has landed former Russian spy Sergei Skripal and his daughter in hospital.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs said the two rodents were found dead at Skripal’s home after it was sealed off for investigations.

It said Friday that a cat was also found "in a distressed state and a decision was taken by a veterinary surgeon to euthanize the animal to alleviate its suffering."

The former spy and his daughter Yulia have been hospitalized since they were found unconscious on a park bench March 4 in the city of Salisbury.

The woman made on Thursday her first public statement since the attack, saying she is recovering.

According to British authorities, they were exposed to a military-grade nerve agent, and have blamed Russia.

Russia vehemently denies responsibility.

On Thursday, Russia's UN ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Britain had not yet mentioned the fate of the pets, which he said was an important piece of evidence.

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