Dozens of giant rabbits, kept in small and dirty hutches, were rescued from an allotment by the RSPCA. Officers recovered the 47 bunnies from the hutches and believe they were kept so they could breed together.
The largest bunny weighed in excess of 8kg - as much as a Cavalier King Charles or a Pomeranian dog - and sported ears that were 7ins long. There were a mixture of Flemish giant rabbits and smaller rabbits of all different ages.
Flemish giant rabbits are known as the "king of rabbits" due to their large size. Though kept as pets, they are still bred by some for their fur and their meat and it is believed these rabbits were being bred to be eaten.
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The rabbits have been signed over to the RSPCA. They will be checked and cared for by a vet before the process to find them new homes begins.
The rabbits have been sent to a number of different centres and licensed boarding establishments. Others are being looked after by inspectors.
Inspector Trevor Walker, who helped to rescue the rabbits, said: "These poor rabbits were living in cramped and dirty conditions which would have been very unpleasant for them, especially in the heat. Luckily a vet found they are all in good condition, although one is on medication for weepy eyes and a wound on the back of his neck, but we hope they will soon find loving homes.
"They will make good companion animals as they have nice temperaments. Sadly, rabbits are becoming an increasing problem across the RSPCA as we are seeing more and more coming into our care, many as a result of the cost of living crisis.
"We would really urge people to do their research before taking on a pet and also to make sure you get your pet neutered at an early opportunity to prevent unwanted litters of animals. All of these rabbits will be neutered, microchipped and vaccinated before finding new homes."
Around half of the rabbits were adults and half were babies. Two of the adults were of average size but their litters were crossed with the giant breeds, so the babies will likely grow into larger rabbits than most. If you are interested in giving one - or any of the rabbits in RSPCA-care - a home, you can visit the Find a Pet page to find your perfect match.
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