Rabbit dumped and left to die by side of A63
ANIMAL rescuers have hit out at an uncaring owner who left a rabbit to die at the roadside.
The creature, named Shelly by staff at charity Hull Animal Welfare Trust, was found next to the busy A63, close to Gilberdyke.
A vet later confirmed the worst fears of staff and diagnosed that the rabbit was suffering from killer condition myxomatosis.
Shelly was put down at the charity's Sunnydene Animal Shelter in South Cave a day after she was found.
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Linda Lawson, small animal co-ordinator at the shelter, said: "We were disgusted anyone could just dump their pet rabbit. One can only assume Shelly was dumped because she was ill."
A bag containing straw and hay was found next to the rabbit by a motorist, who took it to the animal rescue shelter.
Mrs Lawson said: "Myxo- matosis is an awful condition.
"It causes a long and painful death for rabbits who catch it.
"This rabbit, when we checked on her the day after she was found, could not even open her eyes. This is a sign of myxomatosis."
Mrs Lawson said, out of kindness and respect for the animal, the charity's vet chose to put it down. She said: "It was necessary to end her suffering.
"We were very saddened. She was such a stunning rabbit."
Mrs Lawson said owners who dump rabbits, even if they are healthy, are effectively handing their pets a death sentence.
"They are not wild animals," she said. "They are pets. And they will not be able to survive by themselves.
"They will either fall prey to predators, starve or get run over on our busy roads."
Mrs Lawson said 20 unwanted or abandoned rabbits are being cared for at the stretched rescue centre.
More are being looked after by supporters of the charity until permanent homes can be found or spaces become available at the shelter.
Mrs Lawson says she is especially seeking to re-home Barbie, a white lop rabbit, and Pepsi, a black-and-white Dutch rabbit.
Both are thought to be about three years old and have been neutered.
Anyone wanting further information about adopting an animal should call the centre on 01430 423986.
Comments
by ghostwriter69
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 9:51PM
“MimiTheDJ
"Gets a green from me gw. One of my favourite songs by Chas & Dave."
Chas&Dave - says it all really.”
by MimiTheDJ
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 9:16PM
“Gets a green from me gw. One of my favourite songs by Chas & Dave.”
by ghostwriter69
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 8:35PM
“21st_century
Mark Twain said "If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man"
Probably applies to rabbits too.
But I'm sure you won't have had any problems with all the homeless men you have helped.”
by StagChilli
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 8:18PM
“Well done shelley890 for trying to save the Rabbit but everyday it seems to be getting worse were people are being cruel to animals. I would make sentences far tougher for that type of behaviour and would just like to add to the comment by 21st_century what a plonker in fact I would go as far to say I believe that some animals have more sense than some humans again well done shelley890”
by shelley890
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 7:00PM
“I was the girl who found the rabbit, and was so sad to learn of the disease she caught.
The point is not that rabbits "like" being in fields or "deserve" to be in the countryside, it is that it is cruel to dump a PET in an environment they are frightened and unsafe in.
She was shaking when I found her, however let me pick her up straight away and was very friendly. She would have made a lovely pet!”
by johnniebj
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 5:52PM
“Well 21st_century, after you with the myxomatosis-rabbit pie!”
by charleswelton
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 5:52PM
“It's truly awful, and even more terribler that there are so many run over by cars on the A63 yet these rabbits don't get a mention in the news.”
by Sezby
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 5:35PM
“Yeah, rabbits are so lovely. I keep mine in a little cage where they can't run about -but I let them out for a few minutes a couple of times a year. Whoever dumped them by the road is sooooo heartless!”
by Adam089
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 3:20PM
“Absolutely disgusting behaviour! I cannot believe people can be so cruel!”
by heather_paw
Wednesday, October 03 2012, 3:14PM
“Nobody should own a pet if they're not going to be responsible for it, how heartless can you be to dump a poorly bunny at the side of a busy road! They should of took it to the vets and had it put down , how cruel to let the poor thing suffer clearly they didn't care or just didn't want to pay the vet bill. I don't think people realize how much rabbits actually need looking after they need vaccinations just like dogs and cats against diseases.
Rabbits are so lovely rabbits, I have three myself gorgeous animals so tame and loving whenever anything is wrong I'm straight to the vets.”