Owners who dumped 90 rabbits in woods banned

A couple who abandoned about 90 rabbits in a Worcestershire wood have been banned from keeping animals for life and given suspended prison sentences, the RSPCA has said.

Members of the public came across rabbits running around loose in November 2024 and 23 dead rabbits were among those Kevin Lewis and Michelle Deakin left at Chaddesley Wood at Chaddesley Corbett.

A vet concluded wounds were due to infighting between rabbits over territory, social dominance, mating or food, the animal charity said.

Kevin Lewis, 49, and Michelle Deakin, 51, from Yardley Wood Road, Highter's Heath, Birmingham, pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months.

Warning: This article contains an image and details that readers might find distressing

In mitigation, a court heard the couple used to take in unwanted rabbits and cats, but they had become overwhelmed and were in £25,000 of debt, the charity said.

The vet who examined 11 of the dead rabbits and two live rabbits taken to RSPCA Newbrook Animal Centre said most of the animals smelt strongly of urine and ammonia.

Almost all of them had skin tears and lacerations to their ears, scrotums and noses.

Live rabbits were collected by members of the public, while 56 were taken in by Lucky Bunny and Friends Rescue.

Lewis and Deakin each admitted a charge under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, Birmingham Magistrates' Court said.

RSPCA inspector Boris Lasserre went to the defendants' home and saw how the rabbits had been kept in two downstairs rooms, the charity said.

Speaking after the sentencing, Lasserre said financial hardship could be "no excuse for abandoning pet rabbits like this as there are always other options".

"Abandoned and neglected rabbits are an increasing problem and the RSPCA is seeing more and more coming into our care," he said.

"Before considering such drastic action, people should seek help and the RSPCA has a cost-of-living hub which is designed to assist owners."

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