Dozens of rabbits found dead or dying in field

West Mercia Police said enquires into the dumped rabbits were ongoing

Dozens of domestic rabbits have been found dead, dying or in a poor state after they were abandoned in a field.

Animal rescue volunteers were called to Chaddesley Corbett in Worcestershire on Monday to help collect the animals.

Some of them had no ears or eyes, and smelled bad because they were in such a poor condition, they said.

The RSPCA is investigating and West Mercia Police said inquiries were continuing.

'Numerous wounds'

Fifty-six live rabbits were taken in by animal rescue Lucky Bunny and Friends Rescue, the RSPCA said, but more were found by other members of the public.

The RSPCA said it had taken two live rabbits to a vet and had recovered the bodies of 23 rabbits, as investigations took place.

Their bodies are being examined by a vet and post-mortems will take place.

RSPCA Inspector Boris Lassere said: "Any animal being deliberately left behind to fend for itself is a serious case of neglect, and it is increasingly shocking that so many rabbits are abandoned at the same time. The RSPCA is actively investigating this."

He said: "These rabbits have clearly been living in a poor environment, and had numerous wounds suggesting there was infighting amongst the group.

"This increases the concerns as to where they have come from and the conditions they were kept in."

Lucky Bunny and Friends Rescue, which is based in Gornal Wood, is working with five other charities to help with the ongoing care of the rescued rabbits.

Volunteers have asked for donations to help cover vet costs and care.

Vicky Grant, one of the volunteers, said she was out in her pyjamas helping to round up the rabbits after she and a friend had a phone call about it.

She said the animals, all domestic breeds, were wet through, with some dead and others looking like they were about to die.

"There were so many of them we didn't know what to do because I thought they were going to be small but they weren't," she said.

The rescue group said it had taken in 16 males and 40 females, some thought to be pregnant.

All needed to be neutered, spayed or vaccinated, the organisation said.