What skilfully killed my rabbit.
Discussion
We've had a lovely rabbit for around 4 years. He has a large hutch/run that he spends some time in but likes to roam around the garden. He is very good at defending himself. I've seen him chase numerous cats around the garden and outrun a large dog that chased him.
Unfortunately I was woken at around 4am to a harrowing scream that I pretty much knew was the rabbit coming to the end of its life. I got up early at first light to check my wife or kids weren't going to find anything disturbing. At first I thought he may have been ok, just because there was just a small tuft of fur but nothing else. No blood, no bones, no half eaten carcass. So I started to look a bit deeper into the bushes, no sight of the rabbit.
As I wandered back to the house however I saw the intestine and guts layed on the path as if they had been surgically removed. Again, no fur, blood, bones. Just a neat pile of guts.
I'm just wondering what it could have been. I did find a poo when I returned this afternoon that looked very fresh and looked like a fox poo. But could a fox remove the guts and clean the scene of the crime. Would it just scoff the lot?
What do the animal lovers think?
Unfortunately I was woken at around 4am to a harrowing scream that I pretty much knew was the rabbit coming to the end of its life. I got up early at first light to check my wife or kids weren't going to find anything disturbing. At first I thought he may have been ok, just because there was just a small tuft of fur but nothing else. No blood, no bones, no half eaten carcass. So I started to look a bit deeper into the bushes, no sight of the rabbit.
As I wandered back to the house however I saw the intestine and guts layed on the path as if they had been surgically removed. Again, no fur, blood, bones. Just a neat pile of guts.
I'm just wondering what it could have been. I did find a poo when I returned this afternoon that looked very fresh and looked like a fox poo. But could a fox remove the guts and clean the scene of the crime. Would it just scoff the lot?
What do the animal lovers think?
rufusgti said:
Heathwood said:
Agreed
What exactly should I have done once I had got out of bed? Run into a large unlit wet garden shouting my rabbits name? By the time I'd have got my clothes on the fox/weasel/tiger/hunter would be finishing it's desert.If the hutch or wire of the enclosure was broken into I'd be suspecting a fox.
ETA. I would be inclined to put some bait in the hutch, keep watch & see what turns up for a repeat visit. My parents used to keep chickens - locked up at night - & we had the occasional fox problem. Solved by the above - apart from one clever sod that approached from the only safe direction and was smart enough not to turn up again.
ETA. I would be inclined to put some bait in the hutch, keep watch & see what turns up for a repeat visit. My parents used to keep chickens - locked up at night - & we had the occasional fox problem. Solved by the above - apart from one clever sod that approached from the only safe direction and was smart enough not to turn up again.
Edited by paintman on Sunday 10th November 22:15
Agreed, sorry to hear about your pet. This will make me think twice about leaving our fella' out all day (sometimes until after dark too). He can defend himself alright and can be very aggressive when he wants.
I'd suspect a fox got your bunny but the mink suggestion could be correct. Mink can squeeze through surprisingly small holes and are, as has been said, very nasty indeed.
I'd suspect a fox got your bunny but the mink suggestion could be correct. Mink can squeeze through surprisingly small holes and are, as has been said, very nasty indeed.
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