Investigation launched after dead rabbits found hanging in trees in Yorkshire
Warning: This article contains an image which some people may find upsetting.
An investigation has been launched after dead rabbits were found hanging in trees near a Yorkshire school.
The RSPCA says a passerby came across one rabbit hanging from a tree on April 4 in a wooded area in Haugh Road, Rawmarsh, opposite Rawmarsh Comprehensive School.
Four days later, three more dead rabbits were found hanging from trees in the area.
Animal Rescue Officer Mark Richardson was sent to the grisly scene and said he believed the rabbits had been intentionally killed and then thrown into the trees.
He said: “I could see one dead rabbit hanging from the tree and another was on the floor - but this may have fallen from the tree. Another two were also seen in the trees.
“It was really distressing for the passerby to come across this awful incident and I do wonder if they were intentionally killed - but we are not sure how - then thrown into the trees in the hope that a bird of prey may have taken their bodies off.
“There is no CCTV in the area so we would urge anyone who has seen anything suspicious in the area or has first hand information that could assist the RSPCA’s investigation should contact the charity’s appeal line, confidentially, on 0300 123 8018.”