A snake has been found starved to death and dumped in a bag on a popular Scottish beach.
The python was discovered inside an organza sack in Musselburgh by a member of the public.
The Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals believe the pet, which was abnormally thin, had died before it was discarded.
And the animal welfare charity have now launched an investigation to try and track down the animal's owner, after it was found last Thursday, February 27.
Scottish SPCA inspector Emma Phillips said: "Sadly, the snake was already dead when it was discovered.
"The person who alerted us to the reptile found it at around 1.30pm on the beach inside an organza bag.
"The snake is an adult royal python and about three feet in length.
"A post mortem showed it was emaciated and died due to malnutrition, so it was possibly dead before being discarded.
"The condition of the python would not have developed overnight and should have been treated much sooner.
"If anyone recognises this snake and knows who may have owned it we would urge them to contact us as soon as possible."
Anyone with any information can call the SSPCA's confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.
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