Birmingham couple given life ban after dumping 90 pet rabbits in Midlands woodland

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A couple who abandoned about 90 rabbits in a Worcestershire wood have been banned from keeping animals for life and given suspended prison sentences, the RSPCA has said.

There were 23 dead rabbits found among the pets that Kevin Lewis and Michelle Deakin left at Chaddesley Wood, at Chaddesley Corbett near Kidderminster.

Members of the public came across rabbits running around loose in the wood on Tanwood Lane on 11 November 2024.

A vet concluded wounds were due to infighting between rabbits over territory, social dominance, mating or food, the animal charity said.

Kevin Lewis, 49, and Michelle Deakin, 51, from Yardley Wood Road, Highter's Heath, Birmingham, pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months.

RSPCA Inspector Boris Lasserre attended the scene and told the court how he found numerous dead rabbits.

Mr Lasserre said: “Some were scattered individually, while others were in groups.

“I also found two live rabbits. I gathered up and bagged all the dead rabbits I could find and in total there were 23.”

Mr Lasserre went to the defendants' home and saw how the rabbits had been kept in two downstairs rooms, the charity said.

The vet who examined 11 of the dead rabbits and two live rabbits taken to RSPCA Newbrook Animal Centre said most of the animals smelt strongly of urine and ammonia.

Almost all of them had skin tears and lacerations to their ears, scrotums and noses.

Live rabbits were collected by members of the public, while 56 were taken in by Lucky Bunny and Friends Rescue.

In mitigation, a court heard the couple used to take in unwanted rabbits and cats, but they had become overwhelmed and were in £25,000 of debt, the charity said.

Lewis and Deakin each admitted a charge under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, Birmingham Magistrates' Court said.

Both defendants were told to pay a victim surcharge of £154, with Lewis having to pay a contribution to court costs of £350 and Deakin £200 costs.

Speaking after the sentencing, Mr Lasserre commented: “Financial hardship can be no excuse for abandoning pet rabbits like this as there are always other options.

“These poor rabbits were left to fend for themselves in the wild and it was shocking to see how many had been left to their fates.

“We can only thank the members of the public and Lucky Bunny and Friends who came to their assistance as a large number of live rabbits were taken to places of safety.

“Abandoned and neglected rabbits are an increasing problem and the RSPCA is seeing more and more coming into our care.

“Before considering such drastic action people should seek help and the RSPCA has a cost of living hub which is designed to assist owners”