Police seized a ferret during the arrest of the Home Office knife attack suspect.
A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and unlawful possession of CS spray.
It followed the 'unprovoked' knife attack in the heart of Westminster earlier today.
The attack took place near the Home Office - the heart of national security and anti-terror operations where Priti Patel’s office is based - shortly before 1pm.
The building on London’s Marsham Street is just a few minutes’ walk from Number 10 and the Houses of Parliament.
One onlooker said he was “full of blood.”
Police said his injuries were “neither life threatening nor life changing.”
The suspected attacker was arrested on the steps of St John's church in nearby Smith Square.
Forensics officers were seen looking through the suspect's belongings, which included a green combat knife in a sheath, a can of CS spray, a rucksack and a small animal carrier.
A Metropolitan Police spokeperson confirmed the animal is safe and well, and is in the care of police officers.
They said the police do not have facilities to house a seized ferret themselves, and that it would most likely be taken to a sanctuary.
A small, black device which appeared to be a pager with a belt clip was also seen on the floor outside the church, along with an orange hoodie, a pair of glasses, a bunch of keys and around £15 in change.
An off-peak return train ticket from London to Birmingham, dated today, was among the items on the floor.
And a receipt showed the suspected attacker topped up his Oyster card with a £7 credit at 11.45am this morning - just over an hour before the attack took place.
