Rabbit dumped and left to starve in Tranmere park

Jan 16 2013 by Lorna Hughes, Bromborough and Bebington News

THE RSPCA is investigating after a rabbit was dumped and left to starve in a Wirral park.

The small black rabbit was found dead in a cardboard box left on top of a bin in Mersey Park, Tranmere, on Sunday morning.

Dog walkers found the box and alerted the RSPCA.

RSPCA inspector Anthony Joynes said it appeared the rabbit, which was in a poor condition, had attempted to escape from the box before its death.

He said: “The box had holes which had been punched through the cardboard and the edge appeared to have been nibbled away at.

“At this stage it looks like someone has dumped this poor little rabbit in a weak and emaciated state and it has succumbed to the cold weather on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

“This was a cowardly and cruel act because this poor rabbit was clearly suffering from malnutrition or illness and would have needed urgent veterinary treatment.”

Abandoning animals is a serious offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and carries a punishment of up to six months in prison or a £20,000 fine.

Anyone with information should call 0300 123 4999 and leave a message for Inspector Joynes.