Rabbit rustlers leave kids in tears
POLICE ISSUE WARNING AFTER SPATE OF PET THEFTS FROM BACK GARDENS LEAVE CHILDREN HEARTBROKEN
CHILDREN have been left heartbroken by the theft of dozens of rabbits and guinea pigs from back gardens.
Families say police need to take action after the number of thefts has escalated over recent months in Rochdale.
The M.E.N reported in October how a thief jumped over Natalie Clegg’s garden wall and crawled into an outhouse to steal her pet rabbit Arthur.
CCTV footage captured the man crawling on all fours in the garden in Windsor Terrace, in Milnrow, before taking Arthur, but leaving his mate Olive behind.
Since then, residents say as many as 20 animals have been taken in similar circumstances - leaving children heartbroken.
A mum has contacted the MEN after two rabbits were taken from outside her home.
A thief got into the back garden of the property in Percy Street, off Kingsway, and took rabbits Chocolate and Snowflake.
The mum, who did not want to be named, said: “We are absolutely devastated.
“They were both only eight months old my daughter got them for her birthday this year in June.
“I’m not sure I can tell them they have been stolen as they will be devastated, I think I’ll leave them a letter from the rabbits to say they have gone on an adventure. I just don’t have the heart.
The mum has joined a group on Facebook where other victims have been sharing details of their own stolen pets.
Most are understood to have happened around Milnrow, Newhey, Kingsway, Spotland, Castleton, Moorland and Firgrove.
Another resident, Vanessa Bennett, has had her five-year-old granddaughter’s pets stolen from her home in two separate incidents, on December 3 and again 10 days later.
She said: “We had two rabbits taken by climbing over next door’s fence and then he came back and took two guinea pigs after taking a fence panel off and then taking the security camera down and taking it with him.”
Police have issued a warning on Facebook about the thefts.
A post on the GMP Rochdale page said: “We have had a number of thefts in the Rochdale area of rabbits and guinea pigs. Please ensure your hutch is secure via a padlock and where possible secure garden gates.”
If you see/hear anything suspicious, contact the police on 101.