Dead rabbit found dumped at Scots school as probe launched into 'spate of incidents'

A probe has been launched following a horrific spate of incidents involving rabbits being abandoned and found dead in and around Edinburgh.

In the first incident, two dead rabbits were found dumped by Burdiehouse Burn near Gilmerton Road on Monday January 24.

That was followed by two live rabbits being found abandoned near Bents Farm in West Calder on Wednesday January 26.

And another rabbit's body was later found at the gate of goods entrance to Holy Rood High School in the capital on Thursday January 27.

The alive rabbits are now in the care of the Scottish SPCA but welfare charity chiefs are appealing for information.

Two dead rabbits were found dumped by Burdiehouse Burn near Gilmerton Road (Scottish SPCA)

Chief inspector, Sarah Gregory said: “It’s likely that the two live rabbits were abandoned by their owner as they were found together in a rural area.

“One rabbit has fawn fur with grey markings. The other is cream coloured with dark brown markings around the ears and mouth, and has badly overgrown teeth which are likely causing some discomfort.

“They are now receiving the care they need at one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres.

“Although different types of rabbits, we have also received two separate reports of pet rabbits being found dead in the area in the same week.

“The bodies of two pet rabbits were discovered by Burdiehouse Burn near Gilmerton Road, Edinburgh by a member of the public on 24 January. One of the rabbits was tan and the other was white with small black markings.

“The rabbit found near Holyrood High School was sable with a black face and was fairly large in size.

“The body had been left on a grass verge beside a tyre and traffic cone.

“None of the rabbits involved in any of the incidents were microchipped.

“Although there are wild rabbits living in Scotland, pet rabbits are domesticated animals and cannot survive the elements and predators in the wild.

“While we appreciate the owners of these rabbits may have intended for them to be found, this is not the correct procedure to follow if you can no longer care for a pet or need to dispose of the body of an animal.

“If anyone has any information on any of these rabbits and how they came to be in this situation, they can contact our confidential animal helpline on 03000 999 999.”

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