It all started when a scientist called Paget performed some fantastic experiments on dogs, cats, rats and mice in an attempt to heighten animal intelligence.

He was far too successful.

When a few of the specimens escaped from their cages, people were amused by the strange creatures. But as they rapidly bred and spread, and new generations combined vastly sharpened intelligence with a natural hatred of man, amusement turned to stark horror.

One man seemed to know too much about the net "paggets" for his own safety - but not enough to avoid getting caught squarely in the middle of mankind's final, desperate battle, a savage struggle for supremacy in the world that would be won only by . . . THE FITTEST.