The RSPCA is appealing for information after six dead rabbits were found with horrific injuries in London woodland.
**WARNING CONTAINS DISTRESSING IMAGES**
The rabbits, who were domestic pets, were found on a path at the Slade Ravine near to Plumstead Common in the early hours of Saturday, February 11. One of the rabbits appeared to have been stabbed, while another had its ears and tails cut off. All were severely wounded and the entrails of nearly all of them were visible.
Animal rescue officer Mat Hawkins collected the carcasses from a PDSA veterinary centre, where a vet, who examined the injuries, said he suspected the rabbits may have been used as bait animals.
Mat said: “This does look very suspicious and it could be that these poor rabbits were used for baiting dogs and then thrown away indiscriminately at this location.
“They all had terrible injuries and while it could be that a fox has scavenged their bodies, this is unusual as it is a large number of dead rabbits all found in one spot.
“The vet said that one of the rabbits had a stab wound. The injuries may have been caused by fighting dogs and he did suspect baiting.”
Bait animals are thrown in with dogs that have been trained to participate in illegal dog-fighting.
Because of the circumstances that the rabbits were found in, the RSPCA is appealing for anyone with information to come forward.
The grisly discovery was also reported to the Metropolitan Police, whose crime reference number is CAD 1660/11022023.
“This is a well-trodden pathway so someone may have seen something that evening,” added the animal rescue officer. “The rabbits were found by a member of the public who was walking along the path at 2am, so it is likely the animals were dumped during that evening.
“While it is a mystery how they came to be there and why there were so many rabbits in one location, their injuries and the extent of them does point to illegal activity.”
Anyone with any information should call the RSPCA appeals line number on 0300 123 8018.
Anyone who has information about suspected dog-fighting should contact the charity’s 24-hour cruelty line on 0300 1234 999.
To help the RSPCA be there for the animals in need, please visit our website.
