Abandoned rabbits nursed back to full health

"They're just so full of character.... They trash the place the whole time."

Four rabbits among those found dead, dying or in a poor state in a field in Worcestershire have been nursed back to full health at an animal shelter.

Dozens of domestic rabbits were found in Chaddesley Corbett last month, some with no ears or eyes, and smelling bad because they were in such a poor condition.

Lyndsey Hill, who runs Greatfield Small Animal Rescue in Kidderminster, said Dave, Marco, Midnight and Trish "love these edible toys, flinging them around".

"They really do like the interaction, which is surprising because if I'd... been treated like this, I don't think I'd have been too keen on humans."

Nearly 100 were found dumped, with people running around trying to save them.

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

The incident resulted in 56 bunnies being rescued alive, but dozens more were dead or ran into dense woods before they could be recovered.

But two of the four at the shelter, Marco and Dave, have the promise of a new home.

Ms Hill said the response was "phenomenal" and Marco "was a little poster boy".

Vets had his photo on their page and one follower of the incident spotted him and tracked him down to the shelter, she added.

They were "really keen" to adopt and delighted to discover he had a friend in Dave.

"They probably won't be leaving us till the new year... because they are still [on] ongoing antibiotics.

"Their new owners have been sending them goodies and donations, so we've been able to spoil them rotten."

The other two are expected to be offered to the public next year.

Other rescued rabbits are recovering in other shelters.

The RSPCA is investigating.

Ms Hill said when the four rabbits were taken in, they were all underweight.

"They were all in shock I think pretty much. The ears were torn off, scabbed up," she added.

But she said all of them were now "doing so well".

"They look plump. I think it's all the fluff on them, but they are gaining weight rapidly.

"They're suckers for the forage and their fresh foods."

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