Rabbit beaten to death and found in alley

A rabbit was stolen from a run and found beaten to death in an alley nearby.

Owner Franceska Zoe had left Swifty in the run in her back garden in Whitfield Road while she was at work, and returned to find the horrific scene.

Despite having two rabbits, only Swifty - who had just had a litter of babies - was taken after the gate was unbolted.

Miss Zoe said: “What happened next is unknown but she was later found in a private alleyway near the house.

“She suffered two dislocated front shoulders, broken legs and head and face trauma.

“Swifty was clearly beaten and suffered throughout this.

“There were no puncture marks and no sign that it was any animal - it couldn’t have been because she was secured in her run so she was unable to get out of it.

“When she was found I was traumatised, devastated, angry and upset.”

Police say officers are investigating after they were called just before 10pm last Monday (August 5) to reports a rabbit had been taken from its hutch and killed.

Miss Zoe has vowed never to leave her pets unattended in the garden again.

She said: “It has completely changed the way I am with my animals, my other rabbit will never go out in his run again and neither will the others when they are old enough.

“I need to know who did this to my rabbit.

“She was a defenceless rabbit who got beaten to death by a person or persons.

“Nothing eats you up more than not knowing and not feeling safe in your own home on your own street.

“This situation is even worse because Swifty was killed before her babies were even a week old - why do it to her?”

Swifty was stolen