Hopping mad as rabbits are freed from park traps

Pest controllers’ anger at bunny-loving locals

THEIR bothersome behaviour is creating havoc in one of Scotland’s most affluent towns.

yet rabbits are being released from traps by residents of St Andrews – despite the animals being blamed for destroying the landscape and even chewing the wiring of cars.

Badly behaved bunnies have overrun an orchard in the new-build Abbey Park development, stripping bark from fruit trees rumoured to be worth thousands of pounds and creating an eyesore in the otherwise pristine landscaping.

Locals say the rabbits have also been feasting on vehicles, working their way under car bonnets and chewing on exposed wiring.

Property managers brought in exterminators to lay traps. The catches would then be taken to be culled.

But some of Abbey Park’s residents have been tampering with the snares and releasing rabbits from death row.

And the bunny break-outs have infuriated some of their neighbours, who want to be rid of the pests.

Property managers have now issued a public warning that releasing trapped rabbits could result in legal prosecution under wildlife crime laws.

A letter was sent to residents by Newton Property Management on Friday. It states that ‘over the last year or so the development has been plagued by wild rabbits’, adding that the animals

‘This is actually a criminal act’

‘began attacking the trees in the orchard leaving many of them stripped bare of bark’.

The letter warns that residents risk losing ‘the trees and all the planting around the development, creating an eyesore’.

Herd Pest Control has been hired ‘to trap the rabbits and cull them’. Its staff began work last Tuesday and the effort is due to last for around ten days.

The letter goes on: ‘Unfortunately, it appears a few well-intentioned residents have been tampering with the traps and freeing captured rabbits.

‘This is actually a criminal act and we would ask that everyone discourage this behaviour.’

The note adds: ‘While some persons may believe this practice to be unpleasant, we must point out that rabbits are considered vermin and this method of despatch is sanctioned by the Scottish Government.

‘The Police Scotland Wildlife Officer based at Glenrothes Police Office has also been made aware of this matter and is happy to confirm with residents that this is a legal and accepted way to rid you of the rabbits.’

yesterday, one resident said: ‘We are desperate to get rid of the rabbits. We’ve been here ten years now and from the start the rabbits have been breeding profusely.

‘Some people think that they’re actually eating the insulation and pipes on their car.’

The resident said that the identity of the neighbours who were tampering with the traps in the development of apartments and townhouses – a popular place for second homes – remained a mystery. He added: ‘There are two people in our particular block who actually like rabbits.

‘I’m all for the trapping of rabbits. We’re trying to improve the gardens. It’s just daft. If they want a pet, they can get a cat or a dog.’

Another resident had heard rumours of cars being ravaged by the rabbits, while an insider said bunnies had got under car bonnets to chew on wires. It is believed the rabbits are ‘plaguing’ the development because new building works have driven them out of their habitat, concentrating them in one place.

An resident said: ‘There are probably two views. One is the people who love the little bunnies. The other is that for months the poor rabbits have been chewing bark off the trees in the orchard.’

She did not know who might be releasing trapped animals but said: ‘A couple of mornings ago I looked out of my window and there was a rabbit in the trap – 15 minutes later I looked again and there was no rabbit in the trap.

‘I don’t know if that was the culler or someone who likes the rabbits.’

yesterday, Newton Property Management said no one was available for comment.

Scott Herd, of Herd Pest Control, said: ‘We’re trying to encourage people to leave the traps alone – we’re trying to improve the area.

‘Its being done in a humane manner. The traps are legal traps, they’re checked twice a day as per the regulations and any rabbits that are caught in the traps are dispatched immediately in a humane manner.

‘People who release them don’t seem to realise the amount of damage that’s being caused.’