Pair let rabbits starve to death

13 September 2006 07:00

Two pet rabbits found starved to death in their hutch had suffered for at least two weeks, a court heard yesterday.

Their bones protruded through taut flesh, their vertebrae were sticking out and there were serious signs of dehydration, said Sara Young, prosecuting for the RSPCA.

But owners Dean Hines, 34, and his wife Annabelle, 33, had failed to feed the rabbits - bought about six months previously for two of their five children - from a "genuine oversight", said Damian Moore, in mitigation.

He told Central Norfolk magistrates that they were moving from their previous home in North Pickenham, near Swaffham, when the deaths occurred.

They admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the rabbits by omitting to feed them properly in January last year.

The couple, who now live in Bowthorpe and own two dogs, were given a two-year conditional discharge but banned from keeping all animals for five years - except for dogs and cats.

Miss Young said the bodies of the pets were found by RSPCA Inspector David Padmore when he visited their home at Whiteoaks, North Pickenham.

Mr Moore said: "This happened while they were moving home and were looking after their five children. This was a genuine oversight and they are desperately sorry about what happened."

Janice Smith, chairman of the court at Swaffham, told them: "This was appalling neglect."

The couple were ordered to pay £1,500 costs.

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