AIBU to kidnap an abused bunny ...

[AdmiralData]

I know it sounds absurd but the situation is bloody awful. My friend lives with his sister in a mortgaged house, he is autistic and can just about take care of himself. HIs sister has a rabbit (Large) living in a hamster cage in a shed at the bottom of the garden. She doesn't feed her, my friend does and the rabbit gets zero attention and zero free-running time. there isn't even one hops worth of space in the 'cage;. I have repeatedly told my friend to do something but he cannot afford a larger cage and is afraid that his sister will 'kick off' re: rehoming so wont address the situation. As I have already talked to both my friend and his sister and been ignored I know they will automatically blame me if I phone the RSPCA. I have two bunnies of my own (absolutely adored, indoor bunnies) and would gladly take on another. I can't sit back much longer, advice please???

[LaurieFairyCake]

I would. Rabbits are the most abused pets apparently.

I'd bunny nap in the dead of night.

[NeopreneMermaid]

Buy a bigger cage for them?

[LalyRawr]

I would.

My dad did this with a dog once. Saw it getting the shit kicked out of it in the park. Just whistled, called the dog over and started walking away. Owner came running up, abusing my dad and said he would call the police. My dad flashed his badge and said 'No need, I'm here.' Said if he ever aw the guy within an inch of an animal again he would arrest him. This was 20 years ago, I think if he were here now, he would have arrested him straight off.

Practicality wise. How are you going to bunny nap him? Will friend or his sister ever notice that you have the bunny? If they would know it was you who called the RSPCA, won't they suspect it is you who stole the bunny?

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Oh and

I read 'shed' (thought , oh okay) then 'hamster cage' and thought

What would be the worst that would happen if you took the rabbit?
Would she know it was you?
How long till she noticed?
And would she just go and get another animal?

Is the friend likely to let you have the rabbit? Is it just the sister that's stopping this?

In your shoes I'd either - get him to "lose" the rabbit (He can tell her it was free ranging in the shed. I'm hoping the poor soul gets some free running time while the cage is cleaned) and it escaped.
He can live with the guilt of lying if it means the rabbit is saved.

Or - take photos and give them to the RSPCA / Rabbit Rescue . They might be the kick in the bum that she needs.

(There was a similar Rabbit Thieving post on AIBU. Lady who worked in a Residential Home and I'm pretty sure the majority of the posts said Steal the rabbits )

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

When I say 'lose the rabbit' I DON'T mean release it into the wild.
I mean you have it and he tells his sister it got out.

[QOD]

I would take it but kind of smash up the cage so it looked like a fox got it!

[breatheslowly]

Won't they notice your new rabbit?

[AdmiralData]

Sister willingly ignores all advice about what rabbit needs. I am tempted to phone the rspca (like, right now) ... it will mean the end of a very long friendship and potential trouble from the stepfather (violent tendencies). The shed is very easily accessible. I could literally walk in the garden and steal it. Then rehome it very quickly to avoid being arrested. I'm gonna phone the RSPCA now methinks. Thanks all

[frogwatcher42]

I would take it - in fact I did take a rabbit that was very neglected when I viewed a house for sale. Went back and got it later on after dark - it required vet treatment immediately poor little thing.

And I have kidnapped chickens that were dying from lack of water (some were already dead).

And got the farrier to a horse that had curled up hooves which hadn't been trimmed for far too long and rendered it unable to walk properly.

Notice a theme ....!!! I have not yet been put in prison!!!

The RSPCA have never been that interested when I have phoned. Maybe you will have more luck.

[AdmiralData]

Nope, just phoned and they said that from my responses the animal is meeting the five healthy criteria need things. I'll have to steal her. I appreciate your advice frogwatcher, wish me luck in not being arrested!

[frogwatcher42]

Admiral - I don't know a single person that has a good thing to say about the RSPCA.

Good Luck.

[frogwatcher42]

Admiral - I have just noticed that you say the stepfather has violent tendancies.

Think about this carefully - you don't want to be at risk. I think you do have to do something but you have to be careful.

Could you ask to borrow the rabbit for a few days due to some made up reason, then accidentally 'let it go' (not really let it go, but tell them it escaped and you are really sorry but will get them a bottle of wine to apologise).

[Nagoo]

I'd do it. Good luck.

[PoppadomPreach]

I think (but am not 100% sure) that you cannot be charged with stealing a bunny (or a cat for that matter). It's only dognapping that's illegal.

I'm perfectly prepared to be told I'm talking shite though, maybe I dreamt it??

But in your position, I would take it.

[guineapiglet]

What a horrible and sad story, poor little soul... how the RSPCA thinks this meets their five criteria I dont know, but I do know they are having a tough time with a huge rise in animal cruelty and neglect as people struggle to feed their pets and pay for vets bills - I guess if the animal is safe, fed etc it is not a huge priority. In any cases I have been involved in, the RSPCA have been helpful and very professional, but it is a tough world for many animals.

I really like frogwatcher's solution, do not put yourself at any risk, and 'accidently' offload the poor bunny to rabbit rescue or somesuch in the dead of night. If you feel you could rabbit nap without any come back, do it, I think I would. A friend of mine turned up one christmas eve with a rescue guineapig which had suffered terrible neglect and cruelty - many animals just simply dont stand a chance.

Good luck :) let us know how you get on X

[NoComet]

Clearly, YANBU

[ImTooHecsyForYourParty]

You wasted your time phoning the RSPCA. I called them yesterday to report a dog being kept in a dirty area no bigger than a coffee table, never let in the house and given zero attention, and rabbits kept in a hutch frequently without water. (same household) and their other animals.

They did call me back. They said thanks for the report but they are so busy that they are only attending the most serious cases.

and a dog sitting in a tiny concrete area in its own poo and rabbits in a dirty hutch without water on a daily basis and a range of pets that are treated like toys and don't have even their most basic needs met is apparently not serious enough.

nor would they help my cousin rescue neglected ponies that were so ill treated they had open sores on them. She had to fight herself, through the court, to rescue them and the rspca told her they wouldn't help. In the end she succeeded, no thanks to them.

With what was it reported? over 100 million a year in donations? top brass on 150,000 salaries?

Actually, I've just taken a look at their report. 2012 top brass salary. 1 at over 150,000 1 at just under 150000, 1 at 130,000, 2 at around the 100,000 mark...

they don't help animals. they USE animals to tug at our heart strings and make the company a shed load of money.

They can fuck right off if they think they're ever getting a penny out of me.

I am praying to come across a chugger right now, I have a lot of anger to let out.

[FatPenguin]

Liberate the bunny!!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

Admiral - from what I remember about the 5 basic needs

Appropriate companionship (Ie another bunny for a bunny)
Appropriate shelter ( NOT a hamster cage)
and appropriate food (if he's not having grass is he having enough hay?) are not being met here.


Even if you gave them a proper cage (and BTW what a crock of sh*t about not being able to afford. He can get one for free/ minimal somewhere on Freecycle or Gumtree if he wanted to) - the rabbit wouldn't be much better off would he?

[frogwatcher42]

Sadly, I am beginning to agree with you ImTooHecsy.

[daftdame]

You could 'pass on' an old cage/rabbit run if your friend likes looking after bunny. Maybe a book about rabbits.

[FatPenguin]

Has the rabbit always been in a hamster cage? Why get a pet if you can't afford it

[NandH]

I've had rabbit through out my life since I was 6, they're lovely!

please report to the RSPCA, they will deal with it ASAP, if you just take the bunny then what's stopping her getting another!

alternatively take bunny and all other future bunnies

[Madratlady]

Please help that poor bunny! How long has the poor thing been stuck in that tiny cage?

Just be aware that rabbit rescues are full to bursting, most have waiting lists, and you might have trouble rehoming it. And please please don't take the advice to just dump it at a rescue in the night, they may literally have nowhere to put it.

I'd recommend Rabbits United forum, you might find a foster home or a rescue space through there.

[Madratlady]

NandH sadly all too often the RSPCA don't help.