A pet owner sparked outrage by flushing hamsters down the toilet in Taiwan.

The incident began when Xiang, 24, reported to police that he had broken up with his girlfriend, Promin, 27, who refused to leave her rented apartment on Zhongqing Road in the North District of Taichung on August 28.

Xiang told authorities that the woman had also dumped the tiny rodents down the restroom, though no evidence was found in the flat.

The absconded migrant worker from Thailand later claimed she had disposed of the hamsters in advance, fearing her boyfriend would feed them to snakes.

Heartbreaking footage shows Promin pouring the helpless animals from a plastic container into the toilet before flushing them away. She was then seen posing in a black tank top in the final part of the video.

Taichung Animal Protection Office Director Lin Ju-liang said prosecutors have been requested to initiate a judicial investigation, emphasising that the law forbids the harassment, abuse, or harm of animals.

Lin said: 'It is certain these hamsters were killed after being flushed down the toilet. I simply cannot comprehend what the perpetrator was thinking.'

If convicted, Promin could face up to two years in prison and a fine ranging from USD 6,530 to USD 65,296.

Animal welfare groups have also filed complaints urging authorities to pursue the case.

Animal Rescue Team Taiwan director Antony Ni said: 'We watched those 10 hamsters struggle frantically in the water before being flushed away. It was extremely painful and heartbreaking to see.

'People must treat all animals with respect, no matter what the species, because they have the right to life. We cannot condone such actions.'

Promin, who reportedly overstayed her visa by two years, was taken into custody and later transferred to a detention centre in Nantou.