The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled that wild hamster burrows in one of Vienna’s oldest cemeteries cannot be destroyed, even if they are empty.

The case was brought by a construction worker who was fined after his work in the cemetery allegedly destroyed the entrances to at least two burrows.

The hamsters are notorious for eating memorial candles and flowers left on graves in the cemetery, which has been in use since 1862, The Times reports.

The ECJ said both the burrows and the area surrounding the burrows must not be disturbed, even if abandoned – because the hamsters could return later.