Rabbit theft from charity farm 'a violation'

Katie Bates said Snowy's disappearance from the farm will upset "thousands of visitors"

The disappearance of a popular white rabbit, believed to be taken overnight from a charity farm, has been described as a "violation".

Snowy, a three-year-old lionhead lop with distinctive blue eyes, has been missing from her hutch at Ouseburn Farm, on Ouseburn Road in Newcastle upon Tyne, since the weekend.

Katie Bates, farm manager, said the "incredibly friendly and tender" bunny is loved by the "thousands of visitors" that come to the farm to interact with the animals, including those with learning difficulties.

She described Snowy's disappearance during the night as "incredibly sad": "It would have been really scary for her," she said.

"We work a lot with the animals - they recognise us, so to have a stranger come in and just take her feels a little bit like a violation really," she told BBC Radio Newcastle.

Ms Bates believes Snowy was taken from her hutch between the farm closing on Saturday, 18 October at 15:00 BST and its reopening on Sunday 19 October at 10:00.

Snowy sleeping with the other rabbits in her hutch

Snowy shares a hutch with another bunny called Lola, whom Ms Bates described as "a little bit lost" without Snowy.

Ms Bates said when staff checked on the animals at reopening, Lola was still in her hutch but Snowy was missing.

"The hutch was completely closed so we think she has been stolen."

Ms Bates said the farm has had Snowy for more than two years and has no idea why anyone would take her.

"We are completely free to enter," she said, of the attaction in Ouseburn.

"Anyone can come in and see all the rabbits for free, throughout the day.

"They are always running about on the grass, having a lovely time. They do have a lovely life here."

Ms Bates believes someone may have spotted Snowy and "wanted her for themselves".

"They have taken her away from all the thousands of visitors that we have.. and also the adults with learning disabilities that we support.

"They are all going to be incredibly upset when they return to workshops and realise she's not there."

Snowy is a Lionhead lop - with fluffy white fur and distinctive blue eyes

Staff at the farm have been giving the animals, and Lola, extra treats to ease their distress, Ms Bates said.⁠

⁠She said the incident has been reported to Northumbria Police, and the farm is currently in the process of reviewing CCTV footage.

Northumbria Police said they have received a report of the incident and are investigating.

"We would dearly love to have her [Snowy] back where she belongs," Ms Bates said on the farm's Facebook page.

"If someone has taken her, if she is returned to the farm safely there will be no questions asked."