Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU not to tell our neighbours that their rabbit has escaped yet again?

43 replies

NotOurRabbit · 14/11/2011 09:10

Neighbour's (a few houses down) rabbit escapes into our garden almost daily.
We have told them a number of times that it is here and the reaction from them is 'meh' but they have collected it none the less.
Rabbit now seems to be in our garden a lot. It comes and goes but was there yesterday afternoon, disappeared and has returned this morning.
Same throughout last week.
It can get in and out through the hedge so is not trapped.
AIBU to ignore it or should I knock on their door every time I see it?

OP posts:
VivaLeBeaver · 14/11/2011 09:12

Well if don't mind it digging up your garden then don't tell them. You could have your own warren under your lawn.

Have you told them that you're getting fed up with it and they need to rabbit proof their run or keep it in a hutch?

uniCorny · 14/11/2011 09:12

don't ignore it - poor thing. Knock on their door. That's very careless of them.

Original poster
NotOurRabbit · 14/11/2011 09:22

Yes, we've knocked on the door lots of times, it's getting a bit embarrassing.

OP posts:
LaurieFairyCake · 14/11/2011 10:02

Rabbits are the most abused pet in the UK Sad

They are clearly fuckers and I would take the rabbit to a shelter before a cat/dog/fox gets it.

I had a rabbit (Houdini Wink) who escaped twice in 14 years but he tried to every day - but because I took proper care of him I just kept reinforcing his eglu.

Happymm · 14/11/2011 10:05

We have a rabbit, who let's herself in and out of her hutch-wanders round the house a bit(is house trained). It can be difficult to contain them if they want to wander...bloody dog does it as well:o

attheendoftheday · 14/11/2011 10:15

Poor bunny. I'd keep knocking in the hope of embarrassing them into taking better care of it.

Ozziegirly · 14/11/2011 10:18

When we moved into our new house, our neighbours would just let their rabbit roam. One day I went out and all that remained was its tail, and a pile of fur.

Poor bunny.

GrimmaTheNome · 14/11/2011 10:25

Tell them - mainly for bunny's sake but also rabbits are no respecters of other people's plants so take the line Viva suggests.

redexpat · 14/11/2011 11:38

Poor bunny. I'd enquire about local shelters and then the next time they come round to collect suggest that they either bunny proof the hedge, take him to the shelter or you will take him to the shelter.

AnotherEmptyNest · 14/11/2011 11:43

Why don't you just look after the rabbnit while it's on your premises (well, do what you have to do) but not tell them. Surely the neighbvours will notice that it's missing and know where to look for it?

Otherwise, contact the RSPCA because it could be run over one day if it's not in a secure environment.

Original poster
NotOurRabbit · 14/11/2011 13:39

I'm worried about cats, foxes attacking it also.
It's a massive rabbit and I'm sure it's been out all night on more than one occasion.
As for looking after it, no sorry, and sorry to offend anyone but I'm animal (all animals) phobic. It will seem odd to animal lovers but I dont want to go near it :(.
I don't want harm to come to it so yes, I'll keep going round.

OP posts:
SaggyoldCHRISTMASHUMBUGcatpuss · 14/11/2011 13:46

Give it to the RSPCA. Either the owners will have to pay to get it back, or they will leave it with the RSPCA and it will get rehomed to someone who gives a shit!

Bugsy2 · 14/11/2011 13:56

I think it is annoying for you, but it doesn't sound like the rabbit is in huge danger. Rabbits love to run around & most people keep them in really small cages which is more cruel in my opinion than it escaping every now & then. Your neighbours should fence their garden better so it can't get into your garden, but the rabbit certainly shouldn't be given to the RSPCA unless you think it is being harmed. If it is a huge rabbit, cats certainly won't be a risk to it. A dog or fox could harm it but rabbits are usually very alert & quick to bolt for safety - as that is how they survive in the wild.

Original poster
NotOurRabbit · 14/11/2011 14:07

Thanks Bugsy !!
That's helpful because as I said, I am not good with animals and haven't a clue what rabbits can/ can't do.
Do you really think a cat would leave it alone though?!!

OP posts:
Bugsy2 · 14/11/2011 14:20

We have dwarf rabbits & they have the free run of our very well fenced garden. They've only made one escape attempt & that was via a tunnel, which we filled in with flints.

They have no trouble seeing off all the neighbours cats & squirrels. I do worry about a foxs - but we have made sure they have lots of safe bolt holes.

ShockinHolyTempers · 14/11/2011 14:47

It's cheeky of them OP. Rabbits will destroy your garden in Spring/Summer eating flowers/plants/shrubs....

So I'd have a word with them now and let them know they'll have to contain the bunny!

Bugsy2 · 14/11/2011 15:00

Yes, rabbits will decimate plants & shrubs. All my plants are thoroughly wired off. You would be more than justified in telling your neighbours to keep the rabbit in their garden!

Katiepoes · 14/11/2011 15:02

Eat it. They make a really tasty stew. Give the neighbours some though, that's only fair.

Original poster
NotOurRabbit · 14/11/2011 17:22

Katie Envy @ eating it!! (that's a sick emocion btw!)

On the upside, DD, who has pestered for a long time about having a cute bunny has stopped pestering. The neighbour's rabbit is not a pretty breed and she pulls a (disgusted) face whenever it's mentioned!!

OP posts:
Original poster
NotOurRabbit · 14/11/2011 17:24

As for the garden, I agree. It nibbles it's way around it.
At the moment it's pretty bare but come the spring :(

OP posts:
rogersmellyonthetelly · 14/11/2011 17:55

I had 3 free range bunnies in my back garden, they lived a lot longer than other rabbits (all 3 died in their 10th year) had their own warren under the decking and generally had a happy life. Tbh, I would look at the state of the hutch etc and depending on size I would take it to RSPCA to rehome. If it's in your garden daily you will soon know about it, every plant in my garden was bare up to the height of a rabbit standing on it's hind legs.

Glitterandglue · 14/11/2011 17:59

Yes, if you don't want to/can't care for it yourself, please contact the RSPCA. They're kept in cages for a reason, to keep them safe, and it clearly isn't if it gets out again repeatedly. If they don't care enough to keep it safe then they shouldn't be entrusted with it.

DamnBamboo · 14/11/2011 18:02

Phone an animal rehoming place (not necessarily RSPCA; they put animals down after a not-so-long period of time).

They don't deserve that animal and it is likely to be attacked at some point or possibly escape out the front and get runover.

Christiola · 14/11/2011 18:04

poor thing. I'd love to let my guineas have the run of the garden but they'll be savaged by bastard cats.

For that reason alone, don't just ignore it. If it was me I'd take it to the RSPCA and tell your neighbours it was eaten by a fox. Make that fuckers feel guilty.

Andrewofgg · 14/11/2011 18:10

You should look under R in the index to a good cookery book, enjoy your dinner, and sod 'em. With a bit of luck they'll get another. :o

Swipe left for the next trending thread