Justin Bieber targeted by animal rights group over pet hamster

Justin Bieber has incurred the wrath of animal rights campaigners by giving away his pet hamster to a fan.

The teenage pop star thrilled a young girl at the Jingle Ball in Atlanta, Georgia last week by handing her a cage containing his beloved pet, named Pac.

Bieber told the fan to "take care" of the hamster, which he adopted in October, and she promised Pac would be going to a good home.

However, officials at the California Hamster Association insist Bieber was cruel to give away his pet.

A spokesperson for the group tells TMZ.com, "(Hamsters) often succumb quickly to illness and death (when faced with) sudden environmental change... The moment that hamster was handed off to a screaming girl in a harsh, frenzied environment was likely the moment it gazed at the short path to its doom."